USMLE Forum Archives - USMLE Step 3 - SLE & ANA
SLE & ANA
harry206 - 05-10-09 08:32
A healthy 24-year-old Caucasian woman comes to the physician for a routine health maintenance examination. She says her sister was recently diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and has had several complications. She is requesting you to do a blood test to diagnose it early. She has no complaints. She has no other medical problems. She does not drink alcohol. She has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for five years. Her mother has colon cancer. Her vital signs are within normal limits. Examination shows no abnormalities. You order a serum antinuclear antibody test, and it came back positive at 1:80 titers (Normal is less than 1:40). Other labs are unremarkable. Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?
harry206 - 05-10-09 08:32
A healthy 24-year-old Caucasian woman comes to the physician for a routine health maintenance examination. She says her sister was recently diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and has had several complications. She is requesting you to do a blood test to diagnose it early. She has no complaints. She has no other medical problems. She does not drink alcohol. She has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for five years. Her mother has colon cancer. Her vital signs are within normal limits. Examination shows no abnormalities. You order a serum antinuclear antibody test, and it came back positive at 1:80 titers (Normal is less than 1:40). Other labs are unremarkable. Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?
The correct answer and explanation will be available after you answer.
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#18
Re: SLE & ANA conym5 - 04-18-10 08:47 serum antinuclear antibody test, and it came back positive at 1:80 titers...no further tests
if serum antinuclear antibody test, and it came back positive at 1:80 titers + family history positive..further tests indicated
#24
Re: SLE & ANA babbu5508 - 08-31-10 00:30 My answer is: b.
Order anti-Smith and anti-dsDNA antibody levels...the most specific tests for systemic lupus erythematosis.....
#26
Re: SLE & ANA babbu5508 - 09-30-10 06:45 Anti ds DNA antibodies are considered responsible for much of the kidney disease and renal manifestations that can occur in SLE. A strong correlation exists between renal disease activity and anti-ds DNA antibody titers and the development of lupus nephritis.
#37
Re: SLE & ANA dell22 - 11-29-10 14:14 My answer is: b.
ANA weakly positive unusual at this young age, need more specific tests. My answer is b.
#49
Re: SLE & ANA babbu5508 - 03-22-11 11:23 . Explain to her that she does not require further testing
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