Juvenile-onset SLE has more frequent neurological and renal manifestations than adult-onset SLE, but immunological markers are similar in both groups. These features suggest the most severe clinical manifestations in the juvenile-onset SLE group are not related with the presence of studied antibodies by different methods.

Objective. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease that may not always be related to the presence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine if anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies are associated with cardiovascular disease in patients with RA. Methods. Anti-CCP antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the earliest serum sample available from 937 patients with a diagnosis of RA. We studied the relationship between anti-CCP antibodies with traditional cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular events. Results. We found positive anti-CCP antibodies (>25 units/ml) in 672 patients (71.7%). There was no association between the anti-CCP antibodies and cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, being overweight, or diabetes mellitus. However, patients who had positive anti-CCP antibodies experienced more frequent ischemic heart disease (6.5% versus 2.6%; odds ratio [OR] 2.58, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.17-5.65) and had higher mortality rates (11.2% versus 6.8%; OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.01-2.91). Similar results were obtained when we considered anti-CCP titers 20-fold higher (>500 units/ml). Multivariable analysis showed that ischemic heart disease is independently associated with positive anti-CCP antibodies (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.19 -6.56; P ‫؍‬ 0.009). Conclusion. Anti-CCP antibodies in patients with RA are independently associated with the development of ischemic heart disease.

Our results suggest that the presence of Doppler-detected synovitis may predict BT tapering failure in RA patients in sustained clinical remission.

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The presence of SCLE lesions in patients with SLE is associated with a more favourable prognosis. The major anti-Ro/SS-A response is directed against the native 60 kD Ro/SS-A protein.