What does the Antinuclear Antibody Pattern test measure?

Why is Antinuclear Antibody Pattern measured?

Pattern interpretation narrows the differential and directs confirmatory testing. A homogeneous pattern is common in SLE and drug-induced lupus; speckled in SLE, Sjögren syndrome, and mixed connective-tissue disease; nucleolar in systemic sclerosis; and centromere in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Patterns are not disease-specific, so clinical correlation and targeted antibody panels remain essential.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

Not applicable; descriptive reporting (homogeneous, speckled, nucleolar, centromere, other).

Functional medicine optimal

No pattern in a negative screen. When positive, the pattern informs the reflex antibody panel.

Units

categorical, qualitative (homogeneous, speckled, nucleolar, centromere, other), descriptive (e.g., homogeneous, speckled, nucleolar, centromere)

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.