Eczeem en het immuunsysteem - Wat je moet weten

Pengobatan Penyakit Autoimun

Sebagian besar penyakit yang tergolong penyakit autoimun belum dapat disembuhkan, tetapi gejala yang timbul dapat diringankan dan dicegah agar tidak terjadi flare.

Pengobatan untuk menangani penyakit autoimun tergantung pada jenis penyakit yang diderita, gejala yang dirasakan, dan tingkat keparahannya. Metode penanganannya antara lain:

Obat-obatan

Obat-obatan yang dapat diberikan untuk menangani penyakit autoimun meliputi:

• Obat nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), seperti ibuprofen dan naproxen, untuk mengatasi nyeri dan demam
• Obat penekan sistem kekebalan tubuh, seperti kortikosteroid, untuk menghambat perkembangan penyakit dan memelihara fungsi organ tubuh
• Obat anti-TNF, seperti infliximab, untuk mencegah peradangan akibat penyakit autoimun rheumatoid arthritis dan psoriasis

Terapi pengganti hormon

Terapi pengganti hormon dilakukan jika pasien menderita penyakit autoimun yang menghambat produksi hormon di dalam tubuh. Contohnya, pemberian suntik insulin untuk mengatur kadar gula darah pada penderita diabetes tipe 1, atau pemberian hormon tiroid bagi penderita tiroiditis.

Rheumatoid Factor (RF)

The rheumatoid factor (RF) test detects an autoantibody closely linked to rheumatoid arthritis. The RF autoantibody can also be found with other autoimmune diseases like juvenile arthritis and lupus as well as tuberculosis and certain cancers like leukemia.

RF results are described as negative or positive based either on the titer or IU/mL values:

• Negative (titer): Less than 1:80
• Positive (titer): 1:80 or over
• Negative (value): Less than 15 IU/mL
• Positive (value): 15 IU/mL or over
  

Despite the RF test's usefulness in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, around 20% of people with the disease have little or no RF in their blood.

Even so, your healthcare provider may be able to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis by comparing the RF and anti-CCP test results, as follows:

• Positive anti-CCP and positive RF: You likely have rheumatoid arthritis.
• Positive anti-CCP and negative RF: You may be in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis or will develop it in the future.
• Negative anti-CCP and negative RF: You are unlikely to have rheumatoid arthritis.
  

What Is the ELISA Test?

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)—sometimes referred to as the EIA—is a technology used to detect antibodies. It can be engineered to detect not only specific antibodies but also specific autoantibodies. ELISA technology is what "powers" the ANA, RF, and anti-CCP antibody tests.

Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) is one type of autoantibody that attacks the nucleus (center) of cells.

The ANA test is primarily used to diagnose lupus but may also indicate other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, or Sjögren's syndrome.

An ANA result is negative or positive based on the concentration of the autoantibodies in a sample of blood (referred to as the titer). Titers are reported in ratios, most often 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320, and 1:640. Some, but not all labs will report a titer of 1:160 as positive.

A negative ANA test means no autoantibodies were detected and generally excludes autoimmunity as a cause. However, a positive ANA test doesn't necessarily indicate an autoimmune disease. Up to 15% of people can have a positive low-titer ANA without any autoimmune disease.

ANA Accuracy in Diagnosing Lupus

About 95% of people with lupus have a positive ANA test result. Your healthcare provider may order the test if you have signs of lupus, including a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose, hair loss, mouth or nose sores, and fingers that turn white or blue when cold or stressed (Raynaud's syndrome).

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is used to measure the level of a protein that is produced by the liver and released into the bloodstream in response to inflammation.

Interpretation of CRP levels is as follows:

• Less than 0.3 mg/dL: This is considered normal for most healthy adults.
• 0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL: Mild elevation can be seen with obesity, pregnancy, depression, diabetes, common cold, gingivitis, periodontitis, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and genetic polymorphisms.
• 1.0 to 10.0 mg/dL: Moderate elevation indicates systemic inflammation, such as occurs with autoimmune diseases and diseases like cancer, heart attack, pancreatitis, and bronchitis.
• More than 10.0 mg/dL: Marked elevation generally signals an acute infection, systemic vasculitis, or major trauma.
• More than 50.0 mg/dL: Severe elevation may be caused by severe bacterial infections or sepsis.