Rheumatology: subacute cutaneous lupus and anti-Ro: 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: subacute cutaneous lupus and anti-Ro

Sample item

A 34-year-old woman develops non-scarring, annular, scaly red plaques over the shoulders, upper chest and arms after sun exposure. She also has mild joint pains. Which antibody is most characteristically found?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Anti-Ro (SS-A)

Photosensitive annular or papulosquamous non-scarring lesions describe subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which is strongly associated with anti-Ro antibodies. These patients also carry the risk of neonatal lupus in pregnancy.

Option by option

  • A. Anti-Jo-1

    Anti-Jo-1 belongs to antisynthetase syndrome with myositis and lung disease.

  • B. Anti-Scl-70

    Anti-Scl-70 belongs to diffuse systemic sclerosis.

  • C. Anti-Ro (SS-A) (correct)

    Correct. Anti-Ro is typical of subacute cutaneous lupus.

  • D. Anti-centromere

    Anti-centromere antibody belongs to limited systemic 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 C, Anti-Ro (SS-A). Photosensitive annular or papulosquamous non-scarring lesions describe subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which is strongly associated with anti-Ro antibodies.

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

Anti-Jo-1 belongs to antisynthetase syndrome with myositis and lung disease.

Why is "Anti-Scl-70" not the answer?

Anti-Scl-70 belongs to diffuse systemic sclerosis.

Why is "Anti-centromere" not the answer?

Anti-centromere antibody belongs to limited systemic sclerosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology: subacute cutaneous lupus and anti-Ro in General Medicine. These patients also carry the risk of neonatal lupus in pregnancy.

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: subacute cutaneous lupus and anti-Ro?

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.