Avaliação dos consensos brasileiros para pesquisa de autoanticorpos em células HEp-2 na perspectiva do reumatologista

Abstract

Introduction: The search for autoantibodies in Hep-2 cells is a relevant tool to aid diagnosis in the investigation of autoimmune diseases, object of study by rheumatology specialists. This methodology has undergone an intense process of improvement and standardization in the last two decades, with a significant increase in sensitivity and a reduction in the specificity of the test. As a consequence, healthy individuals started to present a higher frequency of positive results generating discomfort for patients and impaired clinical reasoning. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of rheumatologists regarding the determinations of the Brazilian Consensus for research of autoantibodies in Hep-2 cells and how the determinations of the Brazilian Consensus assist in clinical practice. Methodology: A questionnaire was applied to evaluate the perspective of rheumatologists regarding the Brazilian Consensus for research of autoantibodies in Hep-2 cells, resulting in a sample of 414 rheumatologists. The results were analyzed using a simple percentage method using Microsoft® Excel 2016 and the dichotomous data were analyzed by the chi-square test using the Epi InfoTM program. Results: Of the participants, 70% said that their knowledge about the ANA Hep-2 test was greater than or equal satisfactory; and 43% stated that they know the consensus recommendations in general without distinguishing the edition of the consensus to which they refer. The Advances in Rheumatology was the means of access to the material most used by specialists (50%). The most important pattern considered by the specialists was the homogeneous nuclear (78%). In total, 65% of the participants declared that their satisfaction with the Brazilian Consensus is greater than or equal to 80%. There was no significant difference between the country regions when analyzing the dichotomous data. Conclusion: Brazilian rheumatologists are aware of the material in the Brazilian Consensus and most are satisfied with its content, since their recommendations help in clinical practice. Experts also recognize the patterns most associated with rheumatic autoimmune diseases and have used Consensus guidelines for the interpretation of laboratory tests. Keywords: Autoimmunity; Autoimmune diseases; ANA; Hep-2