CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Cutaneous photosensitivity (CP) and the presence of autoantibodies (Aabs) are common facts between patients with a certain group of systemic autoimmune pathologies (SAPs) with rheumatic component, such as Lupus Erythematosus (LE) in all its forms. These Aabs have also high incidence in other SAPs which do not present CP, like primary Sjögrens Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cutaneous photosensitivity is a condition which consists of an exacerbated skin reaction to solar radiations; its incidence can reach a 90% in systemic LE. The mechanisms involved in the development of CP have been extensively studied focusing on different approaches; however, the exact mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet. There are many theories which relate specifically the presence of circulating anti-Ro/SS-A Aabs with the CP phenomenon, though there are several studies which are in disagreement. In this work we evaluated the Aabs profile (anti-Ro/SS-A 52 kDa, anti-Ro/SS-A 60 kDa, anti-La/SS-B, anti-Sm and ANAs) as well as their titer, in a local cohort of 169 patients with SAPs. We related those Aabs profiles and titers with the presence or absence of CP and we found that there is no significant association between the presence of anti-Ro Aabs and the occurrence of CP. On the other hand, a statistically significant positive association was found between CP and high titer anti-Sm Aabs, though this fact could be biased by the incidence of both events in LES patients. To sum up, in the particular population studied there is not a direct relationship between anti-Ro Aabs and CP, which is in agreement with some authors and in disagreement with many others, and contributes to the endless discussion of this issue.