There are many types of connective tissue diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and dry syndrome. After diagnosis of connective tissue disease with high antinuclear antibody titer, it is recommended that the patient go to the hospital to improve the examination to further clarify what kind of connective tissue disease it is and to take further treatment plan.
1. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): It is a connective tissue disease that occurs mostly in young women and can involve multiple organs. Tests such as antinuclear antibodies and anti-double-stranded DNA can help in the diagnosis. Drugs used to treat the disease include immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids such as methylprednisolone.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis: It is a systemic disease mainly characterized by inflammatory synovitis, mostly accompanied by symptoms such as morning stiffness. Blood tests for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody can be used as auxiliary tests for rheumatoid arthritis. Once rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed, it can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac and anti-rheumatic drugs such as methotrexate.
3. Dry syndrome: dry mouth and dry eyes are the main manifestations. Anti-SSA antibody and anti-SSB antibody examination can help diagnosis, and immunosuppressant (such as cyclosporine, etc.) and glucocorticoid (such as prednisone, etc.) can be chosen for treatment.
High titer of anti-nuclear antibody needs further examination to clarify the type of connective tissue disease. If the titer of anti-nuclear antibody is high, it is necessary to go to the rheumatology and immunology department of the regular hospital in time and follow the doctor’s instructions.