The Role of Novel Autoantibodies in the Diagnostic Approach and Prognosis of Patients with Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a condition characterised by distinct colour changes of the digits upon exposure to sympathomimetic conditions, such as cold temperature. It can be either primary or secondary, depending on whether it presents alone or as part of an underlying disorder. One of the most common causes of secondary RP are systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), in which RP may precede the onset of other autoimmune features by many years. Thus, timely and accurate recognition of secondary RP is of great importance as it alters patient management and prognosis. An important step in the diagnostic approach of RP is the detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) by indirect immunofluorescence. However, identification of specific autoantibodies is not yet common practice, though many of them have shown important clinical associations. Moreover, the role of some autoantibodies has not yet been elucidated, given their relatively recent discovery and low reported prevalence rates in autoimmune population. The goal of this study is to reveal clinical associations of these novel autoantibodies in SARDs through the application of an extended serology workup in patients presenting with RP.