Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I tested negative for ANA but positive for anti-ds DNA. My GP diagnosed me with ankylosing spondylitis when I have many symptoms of lupus just not the rash. My sister also has lupus and did not test positive for ANA. She has seronegative lupus. I am under the impression that anti-dsDNA has nothing to do with ankylosing spondylitis. Is that correct? I am currently taking Gabapentin, Tizanidine, Naproxen, and Levothyroxine.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
You are right. Anti-dsDNA antibodies are specific for SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), especially if the titers are high. Ankylosing spondylitis does not give you any kind of antibodies. Anti-smith antibodies are the most highly specific antibodies for lupus, but only a small percentage of people with lupus have them. Did you get that test? But it is strange that your ANA (antinuclear antibody) was negative. Anti-dsDNA is a type of ANA. I believe it is a false positive. A normal sedimentation rate essentially rules out inflammatory pathology. Lupus is an inflammatory disease. To begin with, we need to know more about your symptoms. SLE is diagnosed based on the symptoms and signs along with laboratory tests. It is not diagnosed just on the basis of an antibody test. You can get false positive tests (positive tests in the absence of disease). So please get back to me with details of your symptoms. Based on the information you gave, I do not think you have lupus. There are no blood tests that can diagnose ankylosing spondylitis (AS). HLA-B27 is more common in people with AS, but it is not diagnostic. AS diagnosis needs clinical and radiological criteria. I hope this helps.
Thank you.
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Answered by Education: MBBS Professional Bio: After getting my basic medical degree from Gandhi Medical College in Hyderabad, India, I moved to the UK for post-graduate training in internal medicine. I obtained my MRCP (UK) in 2001 and then moved to the US for a further 3 years post-graduate training in internal medicine. From 2004-2011, I worked as a Hospitalist (in-patient specialist) in the US and returned to India in mid-2011. Since then, I have worked in various private hospitals in Hyderabad and I also started my own clinic in 2014. This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore. Dr. Srinivas Morampudi
Medically reviewed byDr. Vinodhini J.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Dr. Srinivas Morampudi
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