060 - The autoimmune iceberg: exploring below the waterline
Autor(s): R. Tozzoli
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 4, N. 3-S1, 2008 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Page(s): 60-64
The expanding diffusion of autoimmune diseases in the worldwide population depends on epidemiological variations, but mainly on the improvement of autoantibody testing. The diagnostic and predictive role of autoantibodies allows early diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and identification of autoimmune pathologies in the preclinical phase. A vast number of screening studies supports the concept of autoimmune epidemiological ‘iceberg’, where the ratio between clinical and preclinical autoimmune diseases is about 1:10. The aims of this paper are: first, to describe the dimensions of the submerged part of the autoimmune iceberg, defining the most frequent autoimmune diseases located below the waterline; second, to identify at-risk groups or populations of subjects who should be investigated; and third, to propose a list of autoantibodies with high positive predictive value to insert in a diagnostic panel for screening purposes.