Determination of antinuclear antibody seroprevalence in adult age groups of Trabzon province

Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) is the common name of autoantibodies directed against deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), histone complexes or nuclear and cytoplasmic ribonuclear proteins. Determination of the ANA in blood serum is the most significant laboratory findings in diagnostic, staging and prognosis of several systemic autoimmune diseases. Whereat the frequency is varying, ANA seroprevalence has been reported between 5 to 15 % in different populations around the world. Analysis of ANA seroprevalence in a population may not only help to determine autoimmune diseases emerging in the population but also paves the way for premorbid subclinical situations, early clinical treatment and observation possibilities, besides it is important to specify risk factors for this kind of diseases.The aim of the study was to determinate the ANA seroprevalence within the adults living in Trabzon and to relate the presence of the autoantinbodies and sociodemographic features of the individuals possessing them.This study included 884 sera samples drawn by individuals 20 years old or older who live in Trabzon province and nine different districts of the province. In order to determine ANA in samples, antibodies against cell nuclei (IgG) (Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany) kits were used. By means of Indirect Immunofluorescence (IF) method, ANA positivity and fluorescence patterns in dilutions 1/80 and higher were detected. In 53 samples showing speckled pattern, antibodies of extractable nuclear antigen (anti-ENA) were detected by using Anti-ENA profile Plus1 (IgG) (Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany) kits. Obtained data were compared by chi square test.In this study, 132 (%14,93) out of 884 participated individuals were ANA positive, detected in 1:80 and higher dilutions. Most frequently fluorescence pattern was the speckled pattern which has been detected in 53 samples (%6,00). No statistically significant relation between ANA positivity and residential area, gender, smoking, level of income, marital status, education level, body-mass index and age was determined (p=0,987, p=0.312, p=0,054, p=0,766, p=0,887, p=0,826, p=0,787, p=1,000, p=980, respectively).These findings showed that the level of ANA seroprevalence in Trabzon province is quite high. Therefore to conclude that, ANA screening tests should be performed on especially individuals with clinical outcomes