<\/span><\/h2>\nAntisynthetase syndrome is a rare inflammatory<\/span> muscle disease related to dermatomyositis and polymyositis.<\/p>\nThe hallmark of antisynthetase syndrome is the presence of serum<\/span> autoantibodies<\/span> directed against aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. These are cellular<\/span> enzymes<\/span> involved in protein synthesis. antisynthetase antibodies<\/span> they include Jo-1, PL-7, PL-12, OJ, EJ, KS, Wa, YRS, and Zo. Anti-Jo-1 antibodies are the most commonly detected in antisynthetase syndrome.<\/p>\nAntisynthetase syndrome is 2\u20133 times more common in women than in men.<\/p>\n
<\/span>What causes antisynthetase syndrome?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe cause of antisynthetase syndrome is unknown. It is classified as a chronic<\/span> autoimmune<\/span> disease.<\/p>\n\n
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<\/span>How does antisynthetase syndrome present?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe main clinical features of antisynthetase syndrome are:<\/p>\n
\n- Fever<\/span><\/li>\n
- \nmyositis<\/span> (muscle inflammation<\/span>)<\/li>\n
- \nPolyarthritis<\/span> (inflammation in various joints)<\/li>\n
- \nInterstitial<\/span> lung disease (non-specific inflammation of the lungs)<\/li>\n
- mechanic hands<\/li>\n
- Raynaud's phenomenon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Antisynthetase syndrome can present with a variety of clinical features and these can vary over time.<\/p>\n
Fever<\/p>\n
\n- Present in approximately 20% of patients<\/li>\n
- It can occur early in the disease.<\/li>\n
- May persist or recur relapses<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
myositis<\/p>\n
\n- Present in >90% of patients<\/li>\n
- Associated with anti Jo-1 antibodies<\/li>\n
- \nProximal<\/span> muscle weakness causes difficulty getting up from a chair or climbing stairs<\/li>\n
- The muscles can be sore.<\/li>\n
- Weakness of the muscles involved in swallowing can cause aspiration<\/span> pneumonia.<\/li>\n
- Weakness of the respiratory muscles can cause shortness of breath.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Inflammatory arthritis<\/span><\/p>\n\n- 50% of patients experience joint pain or arthritis<\/li>\n
- More often symmetrical<\/span> arthritis of small joints of the hands and feet<\/li>\n
- Usually does not result in bone erosions<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Lung disease<\/p>\n
\n- Interstitial lung disease develops in most patients with anti-Jo-1 antisynthetase syndrome.<\/li>\n
- Often presents with sudden or gradual onset of shortness of breath with exercise<\/li>\n
- Sometimes causes intractable dry cough<\/li>\n
- Can lead to pulmonary<\/span> hypertension<\/span> (increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries) in patients with or without concomitant<\/span> interstitial lung disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
mechanic hands<\/p>\n