Background We determined the prevalence of anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANAs)
in the German adult population and examined the association between ANAs and
cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Methods We used data and blood samples
from the pretest phases of the German National Cohort, obtained from six of
the 18 study centers (n = 1199). All centers applied standardized instruments
including face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements and collection
of blood samples. Self-reported histories of diabetes mellitus, heart attack
and elevated blood cholesterol and/or lipids were recorded. Height, weight and
blood pressure were measured. ANAs were detected using a semi-automated system
(AKLIDES®; Medipan GmbH, Dahlewitz, Germany). A positive ANA was defined as a
titer ≥ 1:80. ANA were classified as weakly (1:80 or 1:160), moderately (1:320
or 1:640) or strongly (≥1:1280) positive. Specific autoantibodies against
nuclear antigens were detected with second-step assays according to the ANA
staining pattern. Associations between the assessed disorders and ANA
positivity and pattern were examined using sex and age-adjusted mixed-effects
logistic regression models. Results Thirty-three percent (95% confidence
interval; 31–36%) of the 1196 participants (measurements could not be obtained
from three samples) were ANA positive (titer ≥ 1:80). The proportions of
weakly, moderately and strongly positive ANA were 29%, 3.3% and 1.3%,
respectively. ANA positivity was more common among women than men across all
titers (χ2, p = 0.03). ANA positivity, even when stratified according to
height of titer or immunofluorescent pattern, was not associated with
diabetes, elevated blood cholesterol and/or lipids, obesity or hypertension.
Second-step autoantibody assays were positive in 41 of the 83 samples (49%)
tested, with anti-DFS70 (n = 13) and anti-dsDNA (n = 7) being most frequent.
These subgroups were too small to test for associations with the disorders
assessed. Conclusions The prevalence of ANA positivity in the German general
population was similar to values reported from other countries. Contrary to
other studies, there was no association with selected self-reported and
objectively measured cardiovascular and metabolic variables
