Resumen

KOKUINA, Elena. Significance of Indicating and Interpreting Autoantibody Tests. Rev cubana med [online]. 2016, vol.55, n.4, pp.324-339. ISSN 0034-7523.

The acceptance and relevance of auto-antibodies is evidenced by their increasing incorporation into the diagnostic and classification criteria of autoimmune diseases. One of the current concerns arising from the widespread use of auto-antibodies is the observance of adequate use, as opposed to its undiscriminating use that results in an increase of false positive results leading to costly errors in diagnosis, follow-up, and even treatment of the patient. This article attempts to summarize the circumstances when it is timely to order autoantibody tests, and how to interpret them to preserve their clinical utility and control health expenditures.

Palabras clave : auto-antibodies; autoimmune diseases; antinuclear antibodies (ANA); diagnosis.

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