• Antisynthetase Syndrome

Disease at a Glance

Summary
Antisynthetase syndrome is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the muscles and various other parts of the body. The signs and symptoms can vary but may include muscle inflammation (myositis), polyarthritis (inflammation of many joints), interstitial lung disease, thickening and cracking of the hands, and Raynaud phenomenon. The exact underlying cause is unknown; however, the production of autoantibodies (antibodies that attack normal cells) that attack certain enzymes in the body called 'aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases' appears to be linked to the cause of the syndrome. These autoantibodies may arise after viral infections, or patients may have a genetic predisposition.
Estimated Number of People with this Disease
In the U.S., this disease is estimated to be less than

50,000

What Information Does GARD Have For This Disease?

Many rare diseases have limited information. Currently GARD is able to provide the following information for this disease:

*Data may be currently unavailable to GARD at this time.
Categories
Respiratory Disease;
Lung Disease;
Neurological Disease
When do symptoms of this disease begin?
The most common ages for symptoms of a disease to begin is called age of onset. Age of onset can vary for different diseases and may be used by a doctor to determine the diagnosis. For some diseases, symptoms may begin in a single age range or several age ranges. For other diseases, symptoms may begin any time during a person's life.
Prenatal
Before Birth
Newborn
Birth-4 weeks
Infant
1-23 months
Child
2-11 years
Adolescent
12-18 years
Adult Selected
19-65 years
Older Adult Selected
65+ years
The common ages for symptoms to begin in this disease are shown above by the colored icon(s).
This information comes from Orphanet

Symptoms

These symptoms may be different from person to person. Some people may have more symptoms than others and symptoms can range from mild to severe. This list does not include every symptom.
This disease might cause these symptoms:
Respiratory System

24 Symptoms

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Tile View
List View

Respiratory System

The respiratory system is made up of the lungs and the nose, mouth, throat, voice box, windpipe, diaphragm, and muscles of the chest wall. This system controls breathing, providing the body with oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide. Common symptoms of problems in the respiratory system include chronic cough, shortness of breath, chronic chest pain, coughing up blood, and chronic mucus production. Diseases of the respiratory system may be diagnosed and treated by a pulmonologist.
Medical Term

Abnormal pulmonary interstitial morphology

Frequency: Very frequent (80-99%)
Description

Abnormality of the lung parenchyma extending to the pulmonary interstitium and leading to diffuse pulmonary fibrosis.

Abnormality of the lung parenchyma extending to the pulmonary interstitium and leading to diffuse pulmonary fibrosis.

Synonym

Interstitial pulmonary disease

Interstitial pulmonary disease

24 Symptoms
This information comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)

Causes

This section is currently in development. 

Next Steps

Talking with the Medical Team

Good communication between the patient, family, and medical team can lead to an accurate diagnosis. In addition, health care decisions can be made together which improves the patient’s well-being and quality of life.

Describing Symptoms

Describe details about the symptoms. Because there may be many different causes for a single symptom, it is best not to make a conclusion about the diagnosis. The detailed descriptions help the medical provider determine the correct diagnosis.

To help describe a symptom:

  • Use a smartphone or a notebook to record each symptom before the appointment
  • Describe each symptom by answering the following questions:
    • When did the symptom start?
    • How often does it happen?
    • Does anything make it better or worse?
  • Tell the medical team whether any symptoms affect daily activities

Preparing for the First Visit

Working with a medical team to find a diagnosis can be a long process that will require more than one appointment. Make better health decisions by being prepared for the first visit with each member of the medical team.

    Make informed decisions about health care: 
    • Prepare a list of questions and concerns before the appointment
    • List the most important questions first, not all questions may be answered in the first visit
    • Ask questions about symptoms, possible diagnoses, tests, and treatment options
    For future appointments:
    • Discuss what was not addressed at the last visit
    • Discuss changes in the quality of life for the patient, family, and caregivers
    • Discuss health goals and other issues in the patient’s and family’s life that may affect the health care decisions
    Take notes during the appointments to help remember what was discussed.

    Next: Diagnosis & Treatment

    Last Updated: Nov. 8, 2021