Myositis specific autoantibodies – What is the clinical usefullness?

Abstract

The authors describe the myositis-specific and myositis-associated antibodies (MSA-s) in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and dermatomyositis, with particular emphasis on aspects of clinical relevancy. The frequency and clinical significance of MSA-s in 50 dermatomyositis patients at our Clinic are presented. The most common MSA, anti-TIF-1 antibodies were found in 14% of our dermatomyositis patients and they were associated with cancers, in accordance with previous reports. For patients with a high tumor risk, a comprehensive tumor research using all imaging devices should be performed.