The laboratory evidence of flare in SLE is:: (A) Increase in titre of anti-dsDNA, (B) Increase in titre of ANA, (C) Increase in anti-Sm, (D) Elevation of ESR
Answer is A. SLE FLARE: LAB RESULTS Increases in quantities of anti-dsDNA herald a flare, paicularly of nephritis or vasculitis It may be associated with declining levels of C3 or C4 complement. Antibodies to Sm is specific for SLE and assist in diagnosis; anti-Sm antibodies do not correlate with disease activity or clinical manifestations. Ref: Harrison, E-18, P-2735