Systemic lupus erythematosus: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

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Systemic lupus erythematosus: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

A 25-year-old female presents with a malar rash, joint pain, and fatigue. What is the MOST specific antibody for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?

A. Antinuclear Ab (ANA)
B. Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
C. Anti-centromere Ab
D. Anti-histone Ab
E. Anti-Smith Ab

Answer and topic summary

The answer is E. Anti-Smith Ab.

While the Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) is the best initial screening test for SLE due to its high sensitivity (>95%), it is not specific. The Anti-Smith (Anti-Sm) antibody is considered the most specific serological marker for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Its presence is highly indicative of the disease, though it is only found in about 20-30% of patients. Anti-dsDNA is another highly specific antibody that also correlates with disease activity, particularly lupus nephritis.

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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Musculoskeletal ⇒ Rheumatologic Disorders ⇒ Systemic lupus erythematosus

Also covered as part of the Internal Medicine EOR and Family Medicine EOR topic list

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