Research Notes on Antinuclear Antibody Test
The antinuclear antibody test or ANA test is used as a screening tool for autoimmune disorders and is most often used as one of the diagnostic tests for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).1 A positive ANA test result may suggest an autoimmune disease, however further specific testing is indicated to assist in making a final diagnosis as the test results can be positive without an autoimmune disease being present.1 Some drugs, infection, and conditions give a false positive result for the ANA test.1
Fast Facts:
- The ANA test is a blood drawn test and no special preparation is needed.2
- The presence of antinuclear antibodies in the blood might be an indicator of Myositis (inflammatory muscle disease), Sjogren syndrome, chronic liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis or other concerns.2
- Antinuclear antibodies are produced by the immune system and attack a body's own tissues.2
5 Great Resources on the Antinuclear Antibody Test
- MedicineNet: Antinuclear Antibody Test (ANA)
- Lab Tests Online: ANA—The Test (Aug. 12, 2007)
- A.D.A.M. (via MedlinePlus): Antinuclear Antibody Panel (May 27, 2007)
- Healthwise (via Medicare.com): ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) Test (June. 16, 2006)
- Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (via HealthAtoZ): Antinuclear Antibody Test (Aug. 14, 2006)
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Latest Headlines on the Antinuclear Antibody Test
What is the Antinuclear Antibody Test
- American College of Rheumatology: What The FANA Test Is (July, 2006)
- About.com: What Is An ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test? (May 25, 2006)
- MedicineNet: Definition of Antinuclear Antibody Test (March 26, 2002)
- Wikipedia: Anti-Nuclear Antibody
- Pediatric Oncall: Antinuclear Antibody Test (ANA) (Dec. 15, 2003)
Uses for the Antinuclear Antibody Test
- American College of Rheumatology: How The FANA Test is Used (July, 2006)
- Mayo Clinic: Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test—Can it Diagnose Lupus? (Oct. 13, 2007)
- Antibodies Incorporated: AntiNuclear Antibody (ANA) Test Kits
Risks and Limitations of the Antinuclear Antibody Test
- University of Cincinnati: What The Results Mean, And What They Don't (Feb. 19, 2007)
- Medscape: New Antinuclear Antibody Testing: Does it Cut Costs and Corners Without Jeopardizing Clinical Reliability?(Sep. 28, 2006)
- A.D.A.M. (via New York Times Health): Antinuclear Antibody Panel—Risks (May 27, 2007)
Wisdom, Blogs and Message Boards on the Antinuclear Antibody Test
- Revolution Health: ANA (Antinuclear Antibody Test)—User Ratings and Reviews
- Lupus—The Disease With a Thousand Faces: Lab Tests for Lupus: The Antinuclear Antibody (ANA or FANA) Test
- WifeMomTeacher: You Can Tell Who Your Friends Are
- Our Growing Family: Oh, The Pain...
- Thirty Something Blog: Results
Scientific and Medical Journal Articles on the Antinuclear Antibody Test
- PubMedCentral: Antinuclear Antibody Test Search
- Journal of the American Medical Association: Antinuclear Antibody Test Search
- Google Scholar: Antinuclear Antibody Test Search
Clinical Trials on the Antinuclear Antibody Test
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Antinuclear Antibody Search
- CenterWatch: Antinuclear Antibody Test Search
Research Notes References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lab Tests Online: ANA—The Test
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A.D.A.M. (via MedlinePlus): Antinuclear Antibody Panel
User Recommended Links for Antinuclear Antibody Test
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About this WisdomCard
- Contributor: Kathleen J
- Reviewer: Tara
- Supervised by: The OrganizedWisdom Physician Review Team
- Last update: Oct. 1, 2008
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