The objective was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of an automated multiparameter line immunoassay system compared with other techniques for the identification of autoantibodies in rheumatic diseases. We studied sera from 90 patients. Anti-U1RNP, anti-Sm, anti-Ro/SS-A, anti-La/SS-B, anti-Jo 1 and anti-Scl 70 antibodies were identified by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) techniques, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting (IB) using extracts of rabbit thymus and human placenta, and an automated multiparameter line immunoassay system (INNO-LIA ANA UPDATE K-1090) that detects nine different antibodies simultaneously (anti-U1RNP, anti-Sm, anti-Ro/SS-A, anti-La/SS-B, anti-Scl 70, anti-Jo 1, anticentromere, antihistone, and antiribosomal P protein). The line immunoassay system equaled or surpassed the other techniques in the identification of anti-Sm, anti-La/SS-B, anti-Jo 1 and anti-Scl 70 antibodies (sensitivity 100%, specificity 94-100%) and was similarly effective in the case of anti-U1RNP (sensitivity 87.5%, specificity 93.9%) and anti-Ro/SS-A (sensitivity 91.4%, specificity 87.2%) antibodies. In addition, this technique detected more 52 and 60 kD anti-Ro/SS-A sera than IB. Nine antibodies can be detected with this method at a cost of 25.38 Euros per serum sample. In five hours, 19 sera can be studied. The approximate cost of detecting these nine antibodies with an automated ELISA system would be 28.93 Euros, which allows 10 sera to be studied in four hours. In conclusion, the automated multiparameter line immunoassay system is a valid method for the detection of autoantibodies in rheumatic diseases. Its most notable advantages are automated simultaneous detection of several autoantibodies in the same serum and its lower cost compared with ELISA techniques.