Antisynthetase Syndrome

Everything about Antisynthetase Syndrome and its Diagnosis and Treatment

Antisynthetase syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease which is characterized by dermatomyositis and polymyositis (inflammation & degeneration of muscles) along with certain clinical features that can include interstitial lung disease, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and arthritis.

Anti-Jo-1, Anti-PL-7, Anti-PL-12, Anti-OJ, Anti-EJ, Anti-KS, Anti-Wa, Anti-YRS, and Anti-Zo are known to be antisynthetase antibodies. In the case of the antisynthetase syndrome, the most commonly detected antibodies are Anti-Jo-1. These autoantibodies are immune system proteins which target and attack tRNA synthetase enzymes.

Symptoms Associated With Antisynthetase Syndrome:

Here are some symptoms which are associated with Antisynthetase Syndrome.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): About 75% of individuals with antisynthetase syndrome happen to suffer from interstitial lung disease.
Muscle Inflammation: Most often, antisynthetase syndrome occurs in the people suffering from polymyositis, necrotizing myopathy, or dermatomyositis.
Inflammatory Arthritis: The affected individual may experience swelling, redness, stiffness, pain, or warmth in and around the joints. Any obvious deformity of joints may not be present.
Fever: 30% of patients suffering from antisynthetase syndrome may experience fever which is not related to any infection or any other causes.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon/Syndrome: It’s a health condition which causes the spasms of arteries resulting in the episodes of decreased blood flow, particularly involving the toes and fingers. It may also affect the ears and nose. The episodes may get triggered by stress or cold, and they may last from several minutes to hours making the affected body part cold and numb and turn blue or white.
Mechanic’s Hands: Mechanic’s Hands is a health condition causing dry, thickened, cracked skin on the affected individual’s palms and fingers making it a painful condition. The hands of the patient may resemble those of a manual laborer.

Diagnosis Of Antisynthetase Syndrome:

Diagnosis of the antisynthetase syndrome is based on the tests mentioned follow.

Muscle enzymes, such as creatinine kinase (CK) and aldolase, are often elevated
Muscle antibodies: Jo-1, PL-7, PL-12, OJ, EJ, KS, Wa, YRS and Zo.
Electromyography (EMG)
Chest’s high resolution computed tomography scan (CT)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the affected muscles
Muscle biopsy
Lung function tests
Evaluation of the swallowing difficulties and aspiration risk
Lung biopsy

The patients suffering from antisynthetase syndrome may need multi-modality immunosuppressive therapy often to regulate the muscle or/and pulmonary manifestations of their ailment. The long-term care of these patients mandates careful attention to the adverse effects and complications of the chronic immunosuppressive therapy as well as disease-related sequelae, such as pulmonary hypertension, malignancy, and decreased survival.

Homeopathy can help improve the relief from the symptoms and restrict the further progress of the disease. It would be beneficial to consider homeopathic treatment in order to obtain a symptomatic relief which would taper the dependency on the immunosuppressants.

Even though we have not come across many patients with this syndrome, we would be pleased to help every patient suffering from it.

It is hoped that a greater awareness of various clinical features of this concerning syndrome will help the earlier diagnosis and appropriate treatment to improve the relief and overall well-being of the patients with the anti-synthetase syndrome.

So, if you or any of your acquaintances happen to suffer from antisynthetase syndrome any time, count on homeopathy without a second thought to obtain a great relief from its discomfort significantly and safely without any side-effects.