What test would a doctor run to differ between a diagnosis of Lupus or Sjogrens? I understand that ther is a lip biopsy they can do, but is there any blood test? What are some of the major symptom differences? I hope all of you had a great Valentines Day. Thanks!
http://lupusmichigan.blogspot.com/2006/01/learning-about-lupus-laboratory-tests.html
According to this Lupus Blog/Website there is no one test to diagnose lupus in all patients. The most common test done for lupus is the ANA.
Hope this helps.
The most common test is the ANA for Lupus, but there are a couple of others that are more specific to Lupus. The Anti double-stranded DNA, Anti-SM antibodies are more common in Lupus than in SJS. The one's more common in SJS are the SSA/SSB. Having only a positive ANA does mean Lupus because the ANA usually means that something autoimmune related is going on. Symptom wise, a lot of the symptoms for lupus and sjs are very common. I believe the one symptom present in lupus and not in sjs is the butterfly rash over the bridge of the nose and cheeks.
Hope this helps some! :)
Having a pos ANA test come back(and this depends on the titer of the test)often will not result in anything as upwards of 5-8% percent of the population carry a pos ANA with no autoimmune issues present.If the titer is low alot of drs will do no further testing and the pos result is more frequent as age progresses.A pos ANA is not indicative of SLE ...it is found in most autoimmune illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis,SJS,SLE,etc.
The titer is as follows 1:40,1:80,1:160,:1:320,1:640,1:1280,1:2560...this is how they dilate the blood with a control liquid until no more antibodies are found...the 40 is once,80 is twice,160 is 3,320 is 4 times,etc not 40 times,80 times and so forth.
alot of drs dont pay any attention to a lower titer and often have no interest until you get into upper numbers as the higher numbers are usually what is seen in AI illnesses and can fluctuate with treatment and disease activity.Also you will carry a pattern i.e speckled,rim,homogenous,periphereal and they can fluctuate also..different patterns are seen in different AI illnesses and help drs narrow down the field of what they are looking for.
So having a Pos ANA doesnot mean Lupus only as there are numerous other AI illnesses that present with pos ANA's and also you could have a pos ANA and be perfectly healthy...many relatives(first line ..daughter,son,mom,brother or sister)of an ANA pos person will also show pos but no disease at all.And you can develop a Pos ANA as you age with no progression onto AI illness.
There are other tests they do that are seen predominantly in SLE (such as anti-dsdna)but the diagnosis of SLE is based on numerous factors and criteria that must be met before a dr will label you with it..most are hesitant to do so and will "run you through the ringer" as once the label is on you it is almost impossible to remove and you will have it in your file for life(they are being good drs by doing this)
here are some links to read hope this helps
http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/index.asp
http://www.labodia.com/en/ana/Atlas/anaatlasnuclear.htm#Homogeneous%20pattern
http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutfaq.aspx?articleid=75&zoneid=19
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/faq.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/antinuclear_antibody/article.htm
Kim
If they are trying to diagnose one or the other (lupus or sjogrens), I would think if you have Sjogrens, you have horrible dry eyes, mouth, etc...I know alot of lupus patients dont have this??? some of us have both though..that is the million dollar question..what autoimmune disease do we have? think its time for more research on that.
Thanks for all of the great links, Kim!
WOW Kim,
Thank you so much for a very clear explanation, You answered ?s I have not even been able form in my mind.
And a big thanks for the links.
kimbo
You all are very welcome...I hope the links helped with any questions you might have or give a point to refer to if you ever find the need.
Can you tell I am a Lupie with SJS as a secondary condition ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D...
Kim
Thanks Kim!
Is there a possibility that a Lupus sufferer could have eye problems but not suffer from Sjs?
My sister has had Lupus for about 25 yrs (born 1965). She didn't know the symptoms of SjS until she picked up a leaflet for me, but has had to be referred to an opthalmologist recently for eye problems. They did some tests, put dye in, gave her some drops etc. I am thinking....hmmm. bet she has BOTH diseases!
What do you think?
:-\
My GP sent me to a new rheumy because my old one wouldn't give me a definite diagnosis. My GP believe I have lupus. My new rheumy was not sure so told me I didn't have lupus in 2007. But last I saw her in Nov 2008 she told me she now believes it could be. ??? I had the lip biopsy re sjs which was positive. I had yet another rheumy a fantastic one but too far away to stay with that said "it doesn't matter because it's all the same". ??? So does it really matter anyway? Sandra
To me and this is my own opinion..it wouldnt matter if I were stuck in the limbo of its SLE or SJS and they couldnt decide between them.Both have very similar symptoms up to and including organ involvement...and the treatments are glaringly similar..so for me as long as i was receiving treatment to alleviate symptoms that were active,felt comfortable with the dr and my whole team,felt like I was being listened to it wouldnt make alot of difference which label they stuck on me.
Jaws..yes Lupus can affect the eyes on its own without a diagnosis of SJS..it can cause irritation,pain,swelling,dryness,etc(uevitis,iritis,conjunctivitis(chronic)keroconjunctivitis,blepharitisetc)so your sister might just truly be experiencing a time when the SLE decides to flare up and cause eye issues...mine does and it is often this time of year..I get hounded with infection after infection...so SLE is often the cause of eye issues as well as SJS.
Everyone take care
Kim
Hi Kim
I see (ha ha). That is very helpful, thanks!
*snicker*