How often do you draw screening ANAs for discoid lupus?
2 Answers
Mednet Member
Rheumatology · Harvard Medical School
Because a positive ANA is associated with an increased risk of progression to SLE in patients with discoid lupus, I routinely check an ANA at the initial visit in virtually all patients. If negative, I repeat it only if new symptoms concerning systemic involvement arise (e.g., joint pain, cytopenias...