Antisynthetase syndrome: Analysis of 11 cases

Med Clin (Barc). 2017 Feb 23;148(4):166-169. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2016.11.021. Epub 2017 Jan 7.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: Antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) is characterised by a series of clinical manifestations such as myositis, fever, mechanic's hands and diffuse interstitial lung disease (ILD), all associated with positivity to antisynthetase antibodies. The presence of ILD will be that, to a great extent it will mark the response to treatment and prognosis.

Patients and methods: Eleven cases of patients with ASS and pulmonary involvement in monitoring at a Pulmonary monographic consult in a third level hospital consult are described.

Results: Nine patients presented positivity to anti-Jo antibody and 2 to anti-PL12. Four patients' HRCT pattern showed NSIP, four UIP, one COP and 2 ground-glass opacity. A percentage of 73 were accompanied by bronchiectasis and bronchiolectasis and 27% honeycombing. Functional exploration was mainly affected by DLCO with up to 45% of the positive walking test. Corticodependence is highlighted, often requiring immunosuppressive treatment both chronically and in exacerbations. All patients maintain good prognosis so far.

Conclusions: Patients with interstitial lung disease should have at least a determination of antisynthetase antibodies in order to identify this disease, better prognosis than other interstitial diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Keywords: Anticuerpos antisintetasa; Antisynthetase antibodies; Enfermedad pulmonar intersticial; Lung interstitial disease; Miositis; Myositis.

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myositis / diagnosis*
  • Myositis / drug therapy
  • Myositis / immunology
  • Prognosis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Antisynthetase syndrome