If you have positive ANA, what pattern is it?

[LilliaT]

Although my ANA test results have apparently fluctuated (from 1:80 to negative, back to 1:80 and then to 1:160), the positive results have always been nucleolar.  Most websites suggest that the nucleolar pattern is often associated with scleroderma.  However, a few websites (which appear to be reasonably reputable) suggest that the nucleolar pattern is indicative of primary Sjogren's syndrome.

I understand that the pattern itself is not diagnostic, and that I probably shouldn't put too much weight in it.  But I'm curious as to what other people's ANA patterns were.  At my visit with a new rheumatologist recently, she did a lot of tests focusing on scleroderma, presumably because of the ANA pattern.  But they all came up negative -- and I really don't seem to have any symptoms pointing to scleroderma.  (With the dry eyes/mouth/nose, fatigue, and periods of aching joints, Sjogren's seems like the more likely diagnosis.  But I've also come up negative for the Sjogren's-specific antibodies and a lip biopsy, so the positive ANA is the only test result so far pointing to an autoimmune issue.) 

So, just out of my own curiosity:  if you've had positive ANA, what pattern was it?  And do you have any AI disorders in addition to Sjogren's?  Thank you.

[Navigator]

Mine is speckled and I have hashimotos thyroiditis

[eye2dry]

Mine was 1:1280 and the pattern was speckled.


I have RA, sjogrens and hypothyroid.

shelly

[SjoGirl]

When it was positive (it has not been for a while) it was 1:80 and speckled. One doc diagnosed me with Sjogrens, Hopkins told me it was Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease. Hopkins said it really didn't matter which is was because Plaquenil was the treatment of choice, unfortunately, I cannot tolerate it.

[susanep]

Mine was was 1:80 and speckled. I also have lupus.

susanep

[SjogiBear]

Interesting thread - I've not read about a specific ANA pattern being related to Sjogrens before so any links to academic articles / research studies etc would be welcome.

My own was 1:640 and homogenous (which I understand is specific to systemic lupus which is what I was originally diagnosed with back when I showed a positive anti dsDNA result which has subsequently now turned negative.  I am also anti-Ro positive (the Sjogrens bit!).

[deniselb]

>1:2560 speckled, 1:80 nucleolar. No other AI conditions.

[Judie P]

My last one was 1:40 titer, boarder line positive.  Pattern was speckled.  However, my SS-A test was way above normal.  I have primary Sjogrens.