CHANGES IN ANTI-U1 RNA ANTIBODY-LEVELS CORRELATE WITH DISEASE-ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS OVERLAP SYNDROME

Objective. To evaluate correlations between changes in anti-U1 RNA antibody levels and disease activity in 9 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome who were prospectively followed up for at least 3 years. Methods. Anti-U1 RNA antibody levels were measured quantitatively, using a nitrocellulose filter binding assay. Disease activity was measured with a validated SLE activity index. Results. All 9 major disease exacerbations were associated with peaks in anti-U1 RNA antibody level. Conclusion. These results seem to indicate that measuring anti-U1 RNA antibody levels can be useful for monitoring disease activity.