Antinuclear Antibody Multiplex Utilization Across a Large Federal Hospital System: An Investigation of Ordering Practices and Rheumatologic Outcomes
Authors' conclusion
This study demonstrates frequent utilization of the ANA multiplex assay in the evaluation of nonspecific signs and symptoms, with a low rate of ANA-associated ARDs
Study context
- Population
- Patients with an antinuclear antibody (ANA) multiplex assay ordered over 1 year in a large US Department of Defense (DoD) tertiary hospital system, excluding duplicate tests and previously established autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD)
- Participants
- 2,499 patients
- Exposure
- ANA multiplex assay-positive vs ANA multiplex assay-negative
- ANA multiplex assay-positiven = 271
- ANA multiplex assay-negativen = 2,228reference
- Outcome
- New ARD diagnosis after subsequent rheumatology evaluation
Methodological detailssingle healthcare system, 1-year period
- Single healthcare system
- 1-year period
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
New ARD diagnosis
- Ordered ANA assays that did not lead to an ARD diagnosis
- 97%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Ordering patterns
- Ordered most often by primary care and medicine subspecialties, for > 100 reasons
Most common new ARDs
- ANA-positive: SjD, SLE and UCTD
- ANA-negative: RA and seronegative SpA
Original publication
Antinuclear Antibody Multiplex Utilization Across a Large Federal Hospital System: An Investigation of Ordering Practices and Rheumatologic Outcomes. J Rheumatol. Published 15 March 2025. doi:10.
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