Diagnostic specificity of autoantibodies. III. Age related changes in appearing autoantibodies serum IgD levels and their association with peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles.

Comparisons made between old and young people depicted the increase with aging in ANA and thyroid antibody incidence. In contrast to these antibodies SMA were frequently seen in young women. Also in women serum IgM levels were higher as compared to men. Conversely serum IgD levels were higher in men; both these differences were seen in the young group only. Proportions and numbers of E-RFC were significantly reduced in the older group of people as compared to the values of the younger group. Interestingly, the autoantibodies appearing were correlated in women with a lower percentage of E-RFC. Also in women low IgD levels were associated significantly with higher percentage of E-RFC.