Health & body · 1991
Are more common in close relatives of people with -?
Yes—in this study, antinuclear antibodies were detected in 12 of 41 first-degree relatives, compared with 2 of 41 sex- and age-matched controls. The difference was statistically significant (χ² = 6.97; P < 0.01).
Details
This observational family study investigated antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in five spouses and 41 first-degree relatives of nine probands with polymyositis-dermatomyositis (PM-DM), along with 41 sex- and age-matched controls. ANA were detected using indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells.
ANA were found in 12 of the 41 first-degree relatives and in two of the 41 controls (χ² = 6.97; P < 0.01). HLA typing was performed in four of the nine families; in only two of those families did ANA segregate with a haplotype—that is, ANA positivity followed the inheritance of a particular HLA haplotype within the family. ANA positivity was not correlated with sex, age, or household contact.
The researchers concluded that ANA occur in a significant proportion of first-degree relatives of patients with PM-DM. They suggested that the finding appears to be genetically conditioned, rather than establishing a genetic explanation.
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