Frequency and clinical effect of the presence of anti-DFS70 antibodies in a large cohort of patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease
Irish Journal of Medical Science, cilt.195, sa.4, ss.2383-2391, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 195 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11845-026-04408-w
- Dergi Adı: Irish Journal of Medical Science
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2383-2391
- Anahtar Kelimeler: ANA, anti-DFS70, autoantibodies, undifferentiated connective tissue disease
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anti-dense fine speckled 70 (anti-DFS70) antibodies in a cohort of patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) and to evaluate the association between anti-DFS70 positivity and clinical characteristics in a tertiary care center. Methods: This medical records review study included patients who met established classification criteria for UCTD. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing and the detection of ANA/DFS70 autoantibodies were performed using indirect immunofluorescence assay on HEp-2 cells. Laboratory evaluations included erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides, anti-extractable nuclear antigens, anti-DNA, anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), and antiphospholipid antibodies. Patients were categorized into two groups based on anti-DFS70 antibody status. Results: Anti-DFS70 antibodies were detected in 68 of 555 patients (12.5%). Anti-DFS70-positive patients were significantly younger than antibody-negative patients [42.9 (± 14.3) vs. 48.0 (± 13.3) years, p = 0.003] and had a younger age at diagnosis [40.3 (± 14.4) vs. 45.2 (± 13.7) years, p = 0.006]. Oral aphthae (p = 0.011) and photosensitivity (p = 0.010) were more frequent in the anti-DFS70-positive group. Significant differences were also observed in laboratory findings: anti-TPO [13.2% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.022], ANA positivity [95.6% vs. 85.4%, p = 0.021], anti-PM/Scl [11.8% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001], anti-histone [4.4% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.027], and β2-glycoprotein I IgM [11.8% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.031] were all significantly higher among anti-DFS70-positive patients. No significant difference was observed between groups regarding active treatments. Conclusion: Our study showed higher prevalence of the anti-DFS70 antibody positivity in the UCTD patient population. The isolated presence of anti-DFS70 antibodies, with or without accompanying non-specific antibodies, may be associated with a milder disease profile and a lower likelihood of progression to a defined CTD; however, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm their potential clinical relevance in patient follow-up.