Sjogrensantibody testing is done using a blood sample.
It checks antibody levels, including anti-SS-A (also called anti-Ro) and anti-SS-B (also called anti-La).
Anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B are autoantibodies (antibodies that mistakenly attack the body’s own tissue).
Getty Images / Ariel Skelley
They can also be present in several other autoimmune conditions.
Getty Images / Ariel Skelley
What Are Sjogrens Antibodies?
SS-B/La proteins are found inside cells of the body.
Elevated anti-SS-A antibodies and/or anti-SS-B antibodies indicate inflammatory connective tissue disease, especially Sjogrens disease.
These antibody levels may also be measured to assess the risk of heart disease in people with autoimmune diseases.
Your healthcare provider will take your medical history and do a physical examination.
Anti-SS-A antibodies are more common than anti-SS-B antibodies.
Anti-SS-B antibody is more specific for Sjogrens disease.
Anti-SS-A antibody is more likely with other autoimmune conditions, such as SLE and rheumatoid arthritis.
Autoimmune congenital heart block (CHB) occurs in 2% of children exposed to anti-Ro/SS-A before their birth.
Elevated results may indicate Sjogrens disease or another autoimmune disease (e.g., lupus or rheumatoid arthritis).
You might need to have additional testing or follow-up testing.
Typically, symptoms are the guide for modifying treatment, rather than Sjogrens antibody test results.
What Organs Fail With Sjogrens?
Summary
A number of inflammatory conditions can cause an increase in Sjogrens antibodies.
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