Anti

Definition

What is an anti-extractablenuclear antigen?

The Anti-extractablenuclear Antigen (Anti-ENA) test can generally be done after a positive ANA test result. Both of these tests are used to detect autoimmune diseases. There are four types of Anti-ENA tests that are used to help doctors diagnose diseases such as mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome. The 6 types of Anti-ENA can help doctors diagnose cystic fibrosis, polumyositis and dermatomyositis.

When should I take an anti-extractablenuclear antigen?

This test is recommended if you have symptoms of an autoimmune disease or have a positive result from a previous ANA test. Symptoms of autoimmune diseases often vary widely in different parts of the body. Some examples of symptoms:

ongoing fever and fatigue

muscle ache

swelling and pain in the joints

rash

sensitive to ultraviolet

raynaud

protein in the urine

neurological diseases such as epilepsy, depression

hemolysis

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before undergoing an anti-extractablenuclear antigen?

The two most common tests are Smith's (SM) and ribonucleoprotein (RNP). If your test results are negative but symptoms persist, your doctor will run these tests again. Also, if you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, the doctor will perform another test to monitor the progress of the disease. It is important that you understand the warnings above before running this test. If you have any questions, consult your doctor for further information and instructions.

Process

What should I do before undergoing anti-extractablenuclear antigen?

Your doctor will explain the test process to you. This test is a blood test. You don't need to make any special preparations, other than stop eating and drinking before undergoing the test. It is recommended that you wear clothes with short sleeves to make the process of drawing blood easier.

How is the anti-extractablenuclear antigen process?

The medical personnel in charge of drawing your blood will take the following steps:

wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessels under the bundles enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel

clean the area to be injected with alcohol

inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.

Insert the tube into the syringe to fill it with blood

untie the knot from your arm when enough blood is drawn

attaching gauze or cotton to the injection site, after the injection is complete

apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on

What should I do after taking anti-extractablenuclear antigen?

The doctor or nurse will take a sample of your blood. The pain depends on the skills of the nurse, the condition of the blood vessels and your sensitivity to pain. After the blood draw, it is recommended that you wrap it with a bandage and apply light pressure to your vein to stop the bleeding. You can do your normal activities after the test.

If you have any questions about this test process, please consult with your doctor to understand more.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

Normal result: negative.

Abnormal results:

Increased number of SM antibodies:
-systemic lupus erythermatosus

Increase in the number of RNP antibodies:
- systemic lupus erythematosus
- mixed connective tissue disease
- discoid lupus erythematosus

Increase in JoI antibodies:
- pulmonary fibrosis
- autoimmune myositis

The results of the Anti-extractablenuclear Antigen test may vary depending on the laboratory. Consult your doctor if you have questions about test results.