Which combination is a common laboratory hallmark of lupus?

Which combination is a common laboratory hallmark of lupus?

• A. Normal ESR and negative ANA
• B. Elevated ESR and positive ANA
• C. Elevated ALT and AST
• D. Low creatinine with normal urinalysis

Answer: (B)

Autoimmune inflammation from lupus often raises inflammatory markers and triggers autoantibodies, making the combination of an elevated ESR and a positive ANA a typical laboratory pattern. The ESR rises with systemic inflammation, and ANA testing is highly sensitive for lupus, so a positive ANA is a common finding even though it isn’t perfectly specific. Together, they reflect the inflammatory and autoimmune nature of the disease, which is why this pairing is the best match. Normal ESR with negative ANA would argue against lupus, elevated liver enzymes aren’t characteristic of lupus itself, and a low creatinine with a normal urinalysis doesn’t indicate lupus nephritis or the typical renal involvement seen in lupus.

Autoimmune inflammation from lupus often raises inflammatory markers and triggers autoantibodies, making the combination of an elevated ESR and a positive ANA a typical laboratory pattern. The ESR rises with systemic inflammation, and ANA testing is highly sensitive for lupus, so a positive ANA is a common finding even though it isn’t perfectly specific. Together, they reflect the inflammatory and autoimmune nature of the disease, which is why this pairing is the best match.

Normal ESR with negative ANA would argue against lupus, elevated liver enzymes aren’t characteristic of lupus itself, and a low creatinine with a normal urinalysis doesn’t indicate lupus nephritis or the typical renal involvement seen in lupus.