| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| A chronic, multisystem disorder of unknown cause, autoimmune
hepatitis is typified by hepatocellular inflammation and necrosis
and tends to progress to cirrhosis. |
Range from mild to severe, with fatigue probably being the most
common. Other symptoms include hepatomegaly, jaundice, pruritus,
skin rash, arthralgia, abdominal discomfort, spider angiomas,
nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dark urine and pale or gray
stools. |
Prednisone, azathioprine |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
IFA
|
| Celiac disease (celiac sprue, gluten-sensitive
enteropathy) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| In untreated celiac disease, villi become flattened and the
ability to absorb nutrients properly is altered. As a result,
several other organ systems may also be affected. |
The symptoms of celiac disease can vary significantly from
person to person. Symptoms may be intestinal or seemingly
non-intestinal in nature. This variability is partly why diagnosis
is frequently delayed. |
Life-long gluten-free diet. Vitamin and mineral supplements may
be prescribed to correct nutritional deficiencies. Occasionally,
corticosteroids are prescribed for short-term use. |
ELISA
|
| Dermatomyositis (DM) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| An acquired inflammatory myopathy that affects both children
and adults. Females are affected more than males. |
Characterized by a rash (patchy, bluish-purple discolorations
on the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, elbows, knees, knuckles
and back) accompanying or preceding muscle weakness. Dysphagia,
myalgia, fatigue, weight loss and low-grade fever may occur. |
Prednisone. Azathioprine and methotrexate may help those for
whom prednisone is ineffective. IV immunoglobulin may help
difficult cases. Physical therapy. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
IFA
|
| Graves' disease
|
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| One of the most common autoimmune diseases. Patients produce an
excessive amount of thyroid hormone. |
Weight loss due to increased energy expenditure. Increased
appetite, heart rate and blood pressure. Tremors, nervousness and
sweating. |
Antithyroid drug therapy or removal of the thyroid gland. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
IFA
|
| Hashimoto's thyroiditis |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| The immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid. |
Mental and physical slowing, greater sensitivity to cold,
weight gain, coarsening of the skin, goiter. |
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
IFA
|
| Mixed connective tissue
disease (MCTD)
|
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| "Overlap" combination of connective tissue diseases. |
Patients with MCTD have features of systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma and polymyositis. |
Targeted at suppressing immune-related tissue
inflammation. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
IFA
|
| Pemphigoid, bullous (BP) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Chronic blistering of the skin that may affect a small area of
the body or be widespread. Most affected individuals are elderly,
but BP can occur in all ages. |
Symptoms range from mildly pruritic welts to severe blisters
and infection. About 15% to 20% of affected individuals also
develop oral or esophageal bullae. |
Treatment is focused on symptom relief and prevention of
infection. |
IFA
|
| Pemphigus
|
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| A serious and rare systemic dermatologic disease caused by
production of autoantibodies to the epidermis. |
Blistering of skin and mucous membranes. Though bullae are
relatively asymptomatic, lesions become widespread and
complications develop rapidly and may be debilitating or
fatal. |
Severe cases are treated similarly to severe burns. Treatment
is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing complications, and may
include hospitalization. |
IFA
|
| Pernicious anemia |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| A megaloblastic anemia caused by a lack of intrinsic
factor. |
Symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, pallor,
tachycardia, inappetence, diarrhea, tingling and numbness of hands
and feet, sore mouth and unsteady gait. |
Onset is usually insidious. Classic symptoms are weakness, sore
tongue and paresthesias. However, patients often present with
symptoms suggestive of cardiac, renal, genitourinary,
gastrointestinal, infectious, mental or neurological
disorders. |
IFA
|
| Polymyositis (PM)
|
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| An acquired inflammatory myopathy that has a gradual onset and
generally begins in the second decade of life. |
Muscle weakness is the most common symptom. Dysphagia and
myalgia may occur. |
Prednisone. Azathioprine and methotrexate may help those for
whom prednisone is ineffective. IV immunoglobulin may help
difficult cases. Physical therapy. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
IFA
|
| Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| A chronic and progressive cholestatic liver disease that occurs
predominantly in women. PBC destroys the small- to medium-size bile
ducts, leading to progressive cholestasis and often end-stage liver
disease. |
Many patients have no symptoms in the early stages. When
symptoms do occur, they commonly include fatigue and pruritus. |
Treatment goals are to slow disease progression and alleviate
symptoms. Liver transplantation appears to be the only life-saving
procedure. |
ELISA
IFA
|
| Scleroderma (systemic
sclerosis)
|
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Activation of immune cells which produce scar tissue in the
skin, internal organs and small blood vessels. |
Swelling and puffiness of the fingers or hands. Skin thickening
after a few months. Skin ulcers on the fingers, joint stiffness in
the hands, pain, sore throat and diarrhea. |
The drug D-penicillamine decreases skin thickening. Symptoms
that affect other organs are treated individually. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
IFA
|
| Sjögren's syndrome |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Chronic and slowly progressing inability to secrete saliva and
tears. It can occur alone or with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma
or systemic lupus. |
Dryness of the eyes and mouth, swollen neck glands, difficulty
swallowing or talking, unusual tastes or smells, thirst and tongue
ulcers. |
Drinking lots of fluids and use of eye drops, good oral hygiene
and eye care. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
IFA
|
| Systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE)
|
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Inflammation of the connective tissue, SLE can affect every
organ system. |
Fever, weight loss, hair loss, mouth and nose sores, malaise,
fatigue, seizures and symptoms of mental illness, joint
inflammation similar to RA, butterfly rash on nose and cheeks,
extreme sensitivity to cold in the hands and feet. |
Anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis symptoms. Topical
treatment such as corticosteroid creams for skin lesions. Oral
steroids. Wearing protective clothing and sunscreen when
outdoors. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
IFA
Serology/Agglutination
|
| Vasculitis syndromes, e.g., Wegener's
granulomatosis, idiopathic crescentic glomerulonephritis (ICGN),
microscopic polyarteritis (MPA), pulmonary renal syndrome
(PRS) |
| Impact |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Tests Available |
| Inflammation and damage to the blood vessels. |
Symptoms vary from patient to patient, and depend on the type
of vasculitis. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, fever,
arthralgia, abdominal pain, renal problems and neurological
problems. |
Treatment for vasculitis depends on the severity of the
disorder and the individual's general health. Treatment may include
cortisone or cytotoxic drugs, plasmapheresis, IV gammaglobulin and
cyclosporin. Some cases of vasculitis may not require
treatment. |
AtheNA Multi-Lyte®
ELISA
Serology/Agglutination
|