[Autoantibodies in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and their clinical significance].

A variety of antinuclear antibodies were examined in 136 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, 131 patients with secondary Sjögren's syndrome and 139 patients with various connective tissue diseases without Sjögren's syndrome. Among these, anti SS-A/Ro antibodies were found most frequently in secondary Sjögren's syndrome, whereas the incidence of anti SS-B/La antibodies, associated with anti SS-A/Ro antibodies, was highest in primary Sjögren's syndrome. In addition, anti RNP or anti centromere antibodies were also found in some patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Clinical characteristics related to individual antinuclear antibodies are also described.