Rheumatology: anti-topoisomerase I antibody: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Rheumatology: anti-topoisomerase I antibody

Sample item

A 38-year-old woman has rapidly progressive skin thickening of the fingers, forearms, upper arms and trunk over 8 months, with exertional breathlessness and fine bibasal crackles. Which autoantibody is most likely to be present?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Anti-topoisomerase I (Scl-70)

Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis with truncal skin involvement and interstitial lung disease is classically associated with anti-topoisomerase I antibodies. Anti-centromere antibodies mark limited disease with pulmonary hypertension rather than early lung fibrosis.

Option by option

  • A. Anti-Jo-1

    Anti-Jo-1 is an antisynthetase antibody linked to myositis, mechanic's hands and lung disease, not truncal skin thickening.

  • B. Anti-topoisomerase I (Scl-70) (correct)

    Correct. Anti-Scl-70 marks diffuse skin disease with a high risk of interstitial lung fibrosis.

  • C. Anti-centromere

    Anti-centromere antibody belongs to limited cutaneous disease with skin change distal to the elbows.

  • D. Anti-Sm

    Anti-Sm is specific for lupus and does not cause progressive skin sclerosis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Anti-topoisomerase I (Scl-70). Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis with truncal skin involvement and interstitial lung disease is classically associated with anti-topoisomerase I antibodies.

Why is "Anti-Jo-1" not the answer?

Anti-Jo-1 is an antisynthetase antibody linked to myositis, mechanic's hands and lung disease, not truncal skin thickening.

Why is "Anti-centromere" not the answer?

Anti-centromere antibody belongs to limited cutaneous disease with skin change distal to the elbows.

Why is "Anti-Sm" not the answer?

Anti-Sm is specific for lupus and does not cause progressive skin sclerosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology: anti-topoisomerase I antibody in General Medicine. Anti-centromere antibodies mark limited disease with pulmonary hypertension rather than early lung fibrosis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Rheumatology: anti-topoisomerase I antibody?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.