Question
Does the presence of these antibodies confirm polymyositis? ANA positive, elevated C-reactive protein, elevated sed.rate, symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue (debilitating)…7 year history of connective tissue disease, undifferentiated with symptoms including neuropathy. No elevation in CK presently. Results of Jo-1 was “500” with reference range of >120 being positive. LE neg., HIV neg. as well as anti ro, Sm, DNA, negative.
Answer
The presence of a positive ANA and anti-jo antibody test is very suggestive of polymyositis. However blood tests, no matter how positive, do not make the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. In general, the diagnosis of any autoimmune inflammatory disease requires the right symptoms and even better, the findng of inflammation on examination and/or biopsy. In the case of polymyositis, the diagnosis requires the find of muscle inflammation– by blood test (elevated CPK), EMG testing and possibly biopsy.
