Patterns of clinical disease associated with antibodies to nuclear ribonucleoprotein

Forty-three patients were studied whose sera were monospecific for nuclear ribonucleoprotein by double immunodiffusion. Thirty-four patients had features typical of systemic lupus erythematosus of which 30 fulfilled the American Rheumatism Association criteria. Clinical features such as rashes, serositis and hematological abnormalities occurred with a frequency expected in SLE. Raynaud's phenomenon occurred in 60%, but other features of mixed connective tissue disease were uncommon. Clinical evidence of renal disease occurred in only four patients. In our experience a good prognosis is related more to the presence of anti-nRNP alone in the serum than to any specific set of clinical findings.