Objective: To analyse frequencies and results of anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and anti-extractable nuclear antigens tests ordered in a tertiary-care hospital.
Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, and comprised all tests ordered for anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and anti-extractable nuclear antigens from March 2017 to January 2018. Data was retrieved from the institutional electronic database. The frequencies and results of the tests were determined. Anti-nuclear antibodies test was determined by indirect immunofluorescence, while the other two tests were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patterns emerging from anti-nuclear antibodies tests were also analysed.
Results: Of the 1053 cases studied, 1000(95%) were tested for for anti-nuclear antibodies. The test was positive in 260(26%) patients, and was repeated in 8(3%) of the positive and 9(1.2%) of the negative patients. Anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid test was ordered in 300(40.5%) and anti-extractable nuclear antigens test in 125(17%) patients who had tested negative for anti-nuclear antibodies. Among those who tested positive for anti-nuclear antibodies, the commonly observed patterns were homogenous 109(41.9%) and speckled 103(39.6%). Rod and ring pattern was seen in 10(3.8%) patients, and none of them were on anti-viral treatment.
Conclusions: There was injudicious and unjustified ordering of auto-antibodies testing, indicating the need for greater physician education and cost-effective protocols.
Keywords: Auto-antibodies, Homogenous, Speckled, Rod and ring pattern, Hepatitis C, Cost-effective..