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Myositis patients with anti-jo-1 antibodies may have more severe muscle and lung symptoms
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Patients with myositis who tested positive for anti-Jo-1 antibodies had more severe muscle and lung involvement compared to patients with anti-PM-Scl antibodies, according to the results of a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers.
Researchers enrolled 1,700 patients with suspected myositis who attended the Johns Hopkins facility between May 1, 2002 and April 15, 2015. Ninety-one patients who met Bohan and Peter criteria for polymyositis or dermatomyositis and were positive for anti-Jo-1 or anti-PM-Scl antibodies were included in the analysis. Disease severity was measured using creatine kinase and aldolase levels, and the lowest diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide and forced vital capacity measurements were used to determine lung function. Muscle strength was scored on a 10-point scale according to recommendations from the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies. Edema or fatty replacement were assessed using MRI, and pulmonary hypertension was detected with either electrocardiography or cardiac catheterization. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) was determined by imaging. The mean follow-up was 50.8 months.
Sixty patients (65.9%) had positive laboratory values for anti-Jo-1 antibodies, while the presence of anti-PM-Scl antibodies was detected in 31 patients. Mean muscle strength was similar between the two groups of patients with either antibody, but patients who had anti-Jo-1 antibodies had a mean maximum creatine kinase level of 2,197 IU compared to 610 IU in patients with anti-PM-Scl antibodies. Patients with anti-Jo-1 antibodies also were more likely to have ILD and muscle edema on thigh MRI. Patients with PM-Scl antibodies were more likely to have Raynaud’s syndrome and deltoid atrophy. – by Shirley Pulawski
Reference:
Paik JJ, et al. Paper #2380. Presented at: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting; Nov. 7-11, 2015; San Francisco.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.