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Pathology · single question

A patient's lab workup shows an elevated anti-SSA (anti-Ro) antibody titer. Which diagnosis is most directly suggested by this specific finding?

  1. Sjögren's syndrome (anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies are characteristic, though anti-SSA can occasionally also be seen in SLE)
  2. Rheumatoid arthritis (more classically associated with rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies)
  3. Multiple sclerosis
  4. Psoriatic arthritis
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Correct answer: A. Sjögren's syndrome (anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies are characteristic, though anti-SSA can occasionally also be seen in SLE)

Anti-SSA (anti-Ro) and anti-SSB (anti-La) antibodies are the classic serologic markers most strongly associated with Sjögren's syndrome (an autoimmune exocrine gland disease causing xerostomia and xerophthalmia), though anti-SSA can sometimes also be detected in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatoid arthritis is more specifically associated with rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies instead.

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