Prevalence of selected autoantibodies in different elderly subpopulations

We have evaluated the prevalence of selected autoantibodies commonly utilized in rheumatologic practice in different elderly subpopulations grouped according to their clinical status. RF, ANA, double-stranded DNA antibodies, and antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) were measured in the serum of all participants using standardized laboratory assays. One hundred and fifty-nine elderly subjects were enrolled, of whom 63 were classified as successfully aging elderly, 62 were ambulatory chronically ill residents of a nursing or Veterans home and 34 were patients attending an RA clinic. Prevalence of autoantibodies were compared to healthy adult blood donors. There was no statistically significant increase in autoantibodies in successfully aging elderly compared to healthy young controls. RF, ANA and ENA antibodies were significantly increased in only the chronically ill and RA sufferers. Antibodies to nDNA were absent in all groups. We conclude that autoantibodies commonly utilized in rheumatological practice are not globally non-specifically increased as a result of aging, but increase in prevalence in chronically ill elderly. Therefore assessment of health status is necessary to evaluate the clinical significance of these autoantibodies in the elderly.