Medical Emergencies · single question
A patient tests positive for SSA (anti-Ro) antibodies in serology. This finding is most characteristic of:
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Correct answer: C. Sjogren syndrome
- A. Incorrect. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with anti-CCP antibodies and rheumatoid factor, not SSA/anti-Ro.
- B. Incorrect. While anti-Ro/SSA can be found in SLE, they are not primarily diagnostic of SLE — the ANA and anti-dsDNA are more characteristic. In dental board contexts, SSA positive = Sjogren.
- C. CORRECT. Anti-SSA (anti-Ro) and anti-SSB (anti-La) antibodies are the hallmark serological markers of Sjogren syndrome. The condition causes autoimmune destruction of salivary and lacrimal glands, producing xerostomia (dry mouth) and xerophthalmia (dry eyes). This is the primary dental association.
- D. Incorrect. Scleroderma is associated with anti-Scl-70 (topoisomerase I) and anticentromere antibodies (CREST syndrome).
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