Antibodies related to the presence, and putatively, development of interstitial lung disease in patients with anti-synthetase syndrome: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Anti-synthetase syndrome is a recently characterized entity whose morbidity and mortality are mainly determined by interstitial lung involvement. For this reason, it is considered important to identify the association between the presence of anti-synthetase antibodies and the presence and putatively, the development of a specific radiological pattern of interstitial lung disease.

Objective

To determine the association between the antibodies present at the time of diagnosis of anti-synthetase syndrome and the presence of interstitial lung disease.

Materials and methods

Systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. The search strategy was carried out in: EMBASE, LILACS, PUBMED, CENTRAL (Cochrane), and Grey Literature. The primary outcomes were the detection of the different radiological patterns of interstitial lung disease, and the reported specific anti-synthetase antibody.

Results

One hundred seventy-six patients were identified; Jo-1 in combination with NSIP was the most frequent pattern. Quantitative analysis suggests that PL-7 expression is associated with the presence of UIP and NSIP. For obstructive pneumonitis, a relationship was observed with the presence of anti EJ, while the expression of PL-7 was negatively associated. Also, EJ had a negative association with the presence of NSIP. The observed associations were corroborated with the subgroup analysis carried out using the two retrospective observational studies identified.

Conclusion

Despite the limitations, PL-7 and EJ showed significant associations with the presence of specific patterns of interstitial lung disease. Jo-1 did not have a significant specific association. Studies of higher methodological quality are required to generate recommendations that affect clinical practice.