Abstract
Purpose of review: The purpose of this study is to review recent advances in the diagnostic utility of autoantibodies in dermatomyositis.
Recent findings: Alternative nonspecialist testing methods have been developed for anti-transcription intermediary factor 1 gamma, anti-MDA5 and anti-nuclear matrix protein 2, which are potentially exploitable by any hospital laboratory. Although these have yet to be validated for diagnostic use, it is likely that testing for myositis-specific antibodies will soon become readily available.
Summary: The identification of myositis-specific autoantibodies provides both diagnostic and prognostic information and offers a unique opportunity to adopt a stratified approach to treatment. Their identification, in many cases, should prevent the need for invasive diagnostic tests such as muscle biopsy.
Recent findings: Alternative nonspecialist testing methods have been developed for anti-transcription intermediary factor 1 gamma, anti-MDA5 and anti-nuclear matrix protein 2, which are potentially exploitable by any hospital laboratory. Although these have yet to be validated for diagnostic use, it is likely that testing for myositis-specific antibodies will soon become readily available.
Summary: The identification of myositis-specific autoantibodies provides both diagnostic and prognostic information and offers a unique opportunity to adopt a stratified approach to treatment. Their identification, in many cases, should prevent the need for invasive diagnostic tests such as muscle biopsy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 772-777 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Current Opinion in Rheumatology |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2013 |