A patient who presents with findings suggestive of undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) may progress to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) over a period of time. A number of findings may identify a patient for whom this is more likely.
Clinical findings:
(1) alopecia
(2) serositis
(3) photosensitivity
(4) discoid lupus
Laboratory findings:
(1) antibody to double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA)
(2) anti-Sm
(3) antiphospholipid antibody
(4) presence of multiple autoantibodies
(5) appearance of additional autoantibodies over time
where:
• In Calvo-Alen et al the relative risks for progression: anti-Sm 28; discoid lupus 16; ANA homogeneous ANA immunofluorescent pattern 5; serositis 4).
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