Frecuencia de autoanticuerpos (Anticuerpos antinucleares y Anticuerpos anti ácido desoxirribonucleico) en pacientes con enfermedad autoinmune que acudieron al Laboratorio Clínico del Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga, Cuenca 2022-2024

Abstract

Background: Various genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases through an abnormal immune response mediated by T and B lymphocytes. These conditions have an estimated prevalence of 3–5% in the general population, affect women more frequently, and may occur at any age. The detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti–deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies (anti-DNA) by indirect immunofluorescence is essential for identifying autoantibodies relevant to the diagnosis of diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. The objective of the research was to determine to determine the frequency of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti–deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies (anti-DNA) in patients with autoimmune diseases who attended the Clinical Laboratory of Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga, Cuenca, during the period 2022–2024. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 380 patient records in which ANA and anti-DNA antibodies were analyzed at the Clinical Laboratory of Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga were included. Data were obtained from an anonymized database and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. Results: Among 380 records analyzed, ANA positivity was 47.1%, observed more frequently in women. Most common immunofluorescence patterns were fine speckled nuclear (AC-4; 20.0%) and homogeneous nuclear (AC-1; 10.8%), with predominance of intermediate titers (1:160 and 1:320). Anti– double-stranded DNA antibody positivity was 10.5%. Systemic lupus erythematosus accounted for a higher proportion of patients with positive autoantibodies, whereas negative results predominated in rheumatoid arthritis.