Clinical Associations with Anti-RNA Polymerase III Antibodies

A systematic review of anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies (ARA) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients finds ARA positivity in only 9% of SSc patients, but come with a higher risk of many potentially worrisome outcomes. 

This review included 93 studies and a total of 23,038 SSc patients. ARA seropositivity was seen 9% and was associated with an increased risk of: 

  • Scleroderma renal crisis (OR: 7.82 [5.79-10.57])
  • Diffuse cutaneous disease (OR: 2.20 [1.91-2.53])
  • Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) (OR: 2.70 [1.52-4.81])
  • Cardiac involvement (OR: 1.93 [1.18-3.18])
  • Joint manifestations (OR: 1.29 [1.01-1.66])
  • Interstitial lung disease (ILD) (OR: 1.10 [1.00-1.20])
  • Cancer (OR: 1.86 [1.33-2.59]).

ARA testing should be considered when evaluating SSc patients as this may help to identify potentially severe complications.

 

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Anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies (ARA) are frequent in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

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The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose related to this subject
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