| Autoimmune hepatitis |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| A chronic, multisystem disorder of unknown cause, autoimmune hepatitis is typified by hepatocellular inflammation and necrosis and tends to progress to cirrhosis. |
Range from mild to severe, with fatigue probably being the most common. Other symptoms include hepatomegaly, jaundice, pruritus, skin rash, arthralgia, abdominal discomfort, spider angiomas, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dark urine and pale or gray stools. |
Prednisone, azathioprine |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®ANA Profile
ELISA
IFA
|
| Celiac disease (celiac sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| In untreated celiac disease, villi become flattened and the ability to absorb nutrients properly is altered. As a result, several other organ systems may also be affected. |
The symptoms of celiac disease can vary significantly from person to person. Symptoms may be intestinal or seemingly non-intestinal in nature. This variability is partly why diagnosis is frequently delayed. |
Life-long gluten-free diet. Vitamin and mineral supplements may be prescribed to correct nutritional deficiencies. Occasionally, corticosteroids are prescribed for short-term use. |
ELISA
|
| Dermatomyositis (DM) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| An acquired inflammatory myopathy that affects both children and adults. Females are affected more than males. |
Characterized by a rash (patchy, bluish-purple discolorations on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, elbows, knees, knuckles and back) accompanying or preceding muscle weakness. Dysphagia, myalgia, fatigue, weight loss and low-grade fever may occur. |
Prednisone. Azathioprine and methotrexate may help those for whom prednisone is ineffective. IV immunoglobulin may help difficult cases. Physical therapy. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®ANA Profile
ELISA
IFA
|
| Graves' disease |
Back to Top |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| One of the most common autoimmune diseases. Patients produce an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. |
Weight loss due to increased energy expenditure. Increased appetite, heart rate and blood pressure. Tremors, nervousness and sweating. |
Antithyroid drug therapy or removal of the thyroid gland. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®TPO/Tg
ELISA
IFA
|
| Hashimoto's thyroiditis |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| The immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid. |
Mental and physical slowing, greater sensitivity to cold, weight gain, coarsening of the skin, goiter. |
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®TPO/Tg
ELISA
IFA
|
| Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) |
Back to Top |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| "Overlap" combination of connective tissue diseases. |
Patients with MCTD have features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma and polymyositis. |
Targeted at suppressing immune-related tissue inflammation. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®ANA Profile
ELISA
IFA
|
| Pemphigoid, bullous (BP) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Chronic blistering of the skin that may affect a small area of the body or be widespread. Most affected individuals are elderly, but BP can occur in all ages. |
Symptoms range from mildly pruritic welts to severe blisters and infection. About 15% to 20% of affected individuals also develop oral or esophageal bullae. |
Treatment is focused on symptom relief and prevention of infection. |
IFA
|
| Pemphigus |
Back to Top |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| A serious and rare systemic dermatologic disease caused by production of autoantibodies to the epidermis. |
Blistering of skin and mucous membranes. Though bullae are relatively asymptomatic, lesions become widespread and complications develop rapidly and may be debilitating or fatal. |
Severe cases are treated similarly to severe burns. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing complications, and may include hospitalization. |
IFA
|
| Pernicious anemia |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| A megaloblastic anemia caused by a lack of intrinsic factor. |
Symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, pallor, tachycardia, inappetence, diarrhea, tingling and numbness of hands and feet, sore mouth and unsteady gait. |
Onset is usually insidious. Classic symptoms are weakness, sore tongue and paresthesias. However, patients often present with symptoms suggestive of cardiac, renal, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, infectious, mental or neurological disorders. |
IFA
|
| Polymyositis (PM) |
Back to Top |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| An acquired inflammatory myopathy that has a gradual onset and generally begins in the second decade of life. |
Muscle weakness is the most common symptom. Dysphagia and myalgia may occur. |
Prednisone. Azathioprine and methotrexate may help those for whom prednisone is ineffective. IV immunoglobulin may help difficult cases. Physical therapy. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®ANA Profile
ELISA
IFA
|
| Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| A chronic and progressive cholestatic liver disease that occurs predominantly in women. PBC destroys the small- to medium-size bile ducts, leading to progressive cholestasis and often end-stage liver disease. |
Many patients have no symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they commonly include fatigue and pruritus. |
Treatment goals are to slow disease progression and alleviate symptoms. Liver transplantation appears to be the only life-saving procedure. |
ELISA
IFA
|
| Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) |
Back to Top |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Activation of immune cells which produce scar tissue in the skin, internal organs and small blood vessels. |
Swelling and puffiness of the fingers or hands. Skin thickening after a few months. Skin ulcers on the fingers, joint stiffness in the hands, pain, sore throat and diarrhea. |
The drug D-penicillamine decreases skin thickening. Symptoms that affect other organs are treated individually. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®ANA Profile
ELISA
IFA
|
| Sjögren's syndrome |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Chronic and slowly progressing inability to secrete saliva and tears. It can occur alone or with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma or systemic lupus. |
Dryness of the eyes and mouth, swollen neck glands, difficulty swallowing or talking, unusual tastes or smells, thirst and tongue ulcers. |
Drinking lots of fluids and use of eye drops, good oral hygiene and eye care. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®ANA Profile
ELISA
IFA
|
| Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) |
Back to Top |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Inflammation of the connective tissue, SLE can affect every organ system. |
Fever, weight loss, hair loss, mouth and nose sores, malaise, fatigue, seizures and symptoms of mental illness, joint inflammation similar to RA, butterfly rash on nose and cheeks, extreme sensitivity to cold in the hands and feet. |
Anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis symptoms. Topical treatment such as corticosteroid creams for skin lesions. Oral steroids. Wearing protective clothing and sunscreen when outdoors. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®ANA Profile
ELISA
IFA
Serology/Agglutination
|
| Vasculitis syndromes, e.g., Wegener's granulomatosis, idiopathic crescentic glomerulonephritis (ICGN), microscopic polyarteritis (MPA), pulmonary renal syndrome (PRS) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Inflammation and damage to the blood vessels. |
Symptoms vary from patient to patient, and depend on the type of vasculitis. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, fever, arthralgia, abdominal pain, renal problems and neurological problems. |
Treatment for vasculitis depends on the severity of the disorder and the individual's general health. Treatment may include cortisone or cytotoxic drugs, plasmapheresis, IV gammaglobulin and cyclosporin. Some cases of vasculitis may not require treatment. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®ANCA
ELISA
Serology/Agglutination
|
