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Multicenter Study
. 2017 Jun 6;19(1):127.
doi: 10.1186/s13075-017-1338-5.

Anti-nuclear autoantibodies in the general German population: prevalence and lack of association with selected cardiovascular and metabolic disorders-findings of a multicenter population-based study

Manas K Akmatov  1   2 , Nadja Röber  3 , Wolfgang Ahrens  4 , Dieter Flesch-Janys  5 , Julia Fricke  6   7 , Halina Greiser  6 , Kathrin Günther  4 , Rudolf Kaaks  6 , Yvonne Kemmling  8 , Bastian Krone  9 , Jakob Linseisen  10 , Christa Meisinger  10 , Susanne Moebus  9 , Nadia Obi  5 , Carlos A Guzman  11 , Karsten Conrad  3 , Frank Pessler  12   13
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Anti-nuclear autoantibodies in the general German population: prevalence and lack of association with selected cardiovascular and metabolic disorders-findings of a multicenter population-based study

Manas K Akmatov et al. Arthritis Res Ther. .

Abstract

Background: We determined the prevalence of anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANAs) in the German adult population and examined the association between ANAs and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

Methods: We used data and blood samples from the pretest phases of the German National Cohort, obtained from six of the 18 study centers (n = 1199). All centers applied standardized instruments including face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements and collection of blood samples. Self-reported histories of diabetes mellitus, heart attack and elevated blood cholesterol and/or lipids were recorded. Height, weight and blood pressure were measured. ANAs were detected using a semi-automated system (AKLIDES®; Medipan GmbH, Dahlewitz, Germany). A positive ANA was defined as a titer ≥ 1:80. ANA were classified as weakly (1:80 or 1:160), moderately (1:320 or 1:640) or strongly (≥1:1280) positive. Specific autoantibodies against nuclear antigens were detected with second-step assays according to the ANA staining pattern. Associations between the assessed disorders and ANA positivity and pattern were examined using sex and age-adjusted mixed-effects logistic regression models.

Results: Thirty-three percent (95% confidence interval; 31-36%) of the 1196 participants (measurements could not be obtained from three samples) were ANA positive (titer ≥ 1:80). The proportions of weakly, moderately and strongly positive ANA were 29%, 3.3% and 1.3%, respectively. ANA positivity was more common among women than men across all titers (χ2, p = 0.03). ANA positivity, even when stratified according to height of titer or immunofluorescent pattern, was not associated with diabetes, elevated blood cholesterol and/or lipids, obesity or hypertension. Second-step autoantibody assays were positive in 41 of the 83 samples (49%) tested, with anti-DFS70 (n = 13) and anti-dsDNA (n = 7) being most frequent. These subgroups were too small to test for associations with the disorders assessed.

Conclusions: The prevalence of ANA positivity in the German general population was similar to values reported from other countries. Contrary to other studies, there was no association with selected self-reported and objectively measured cardiovascular and metabolic variables.

Keywords: Anti-nuclear autoantibodies; Diabetes; German National Cohort; Hypertension; Metabolism; Obesity; Population-based study.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
ANA positivity by sex and age groups. ANA positivity was defined as a titer ≥ 1:80. Whiskers indicate 95% confidence intervals. *p = 0.003
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Proportion of weakly, moderately and strongly positive ANA titers by sex (a) and by country of birth (b) (weak, 1:80 or 1:160; moderate, 1:320 or 1:640; strong, ≥1:1280). Difference in ANA positivity by sex was significant (χ2 = 8.859, df = 3, p = 0.03). *p = 0.02. Difference in ANA positivity by country of birth was not significant (χ2 = 1.121, df = 3, p = 0.77). Whiskers indicate 95% confidence intervals. ANA anti-nuclear autoantibody
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
ANA staining patterns. Frequencies of patterns across all samples (a) and according to degree of positivity (b) (weak, 1:80 or 1:160; moderate, 1:320 or 1:640; strong, ≥1:1280). ANA anti-nuclear autoantibody
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