Anti-nuclear antibody tests are primarily utilized to help diagnose which condition?

Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) tests are a critical tool in diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus erythematosus. The test detects the presence of autoantibodies that target nuclear constituents of cells. In lupus, these antibodies are often present and serve as a significant marker for the disease, as a high percentage of individuals with SLE will test positive for ANAs.

The significance of this test lies in its ability to help differentiate between lupus and other autoimmune conditions. While other autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and multiple sclerosis may also have autoimmune profiles, they are not primarily associated with positive ANA results to the same extent as lupus. In fact, ANAs can sometimes be found in healthy individuals and in other autoimmune diseases, but their strong association with lupus makes the ANA test particularly relevant for aiding in its diagnosis. Thus, positive ANA findings in conjunction with clinical criteria substantially support a diagnosis of lupus.