Differential Diagnosis for Positive SSA with Amyloidosis
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Sjögren's syndrome: This is the most likely diagnosis because SSA (anti-Ro) antibodies are a hallmark of Sjögren's syndrome, and amyloidosis can be a complication of chronic inflammatory diseases like Sjögren's.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): SLE can also present with positive SSA antibodies and amyloidosis, especially in patients with long-standing disease.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is another chronic inflammatory disease that can be associated with SSA antibodies and amyloidosis, particularly in patients with severe or longstanding disease.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses
- Primary Sjögren's syndrome with lymphoma: Although less common, patients with Sjögren's syndrome are at increased risk of developing lymphoma, which can present with amyloidosis.
- Multiple myeloma: This is a plasma cell dyscrasia that can cause amyloidosis, and although SSA antibodies are not typically associated with multiple myeloma, it is a critical diagnosis not to miss due to its potential for severe consequences.
- Rare diagnoses
- Mixed connective tissue disease: This is a rare autoimmune disease that can present with features of SLE, RA, and scleroderma, and may be associated with SSA antibodies and amyloidosis.
- Relapsing polychondritis: This is a rare inflammatory disease that can affect multiple systems and has been associated with SSA antibodies and amyloidosis in some cases.