AB0259 ANTI SYNTHETASE SYNDROME: WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Authors: A. Aggarwal, T. Chandra, P. Ladha, S. Mittal, S. Haldule, S. Nirmal, N. Edpuganti, N. Jain, R. Aggarwal
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Anti-synthetase syndrome constitutes a dynamically evolving subset of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis, marked by continual discoveries of novel antibodies, clinical parameters and treatment modalities. However, the nomenclature and appropriate abbreviations for this syndrome are plagued by heterogeneity and ambiguity, leading lack of consistency in literature. <h3>Objectives:</h3> The aim of this study is to evaluate existing diversity in disease names and abbreviations within the current literature, with a future goal to develop consensus on the nomenclature. <h3>Methods:</h3> A comprehensive search of PUBMED was conducted from January 1, 1984 (the initial description of anti-synthetase autoantibodies) to November 30, 2023, encompassing all pertinent articles published within this timeframe. The search terms employed were "antisynthetase syndrome," "anti synthetase syndrome," and "anti-synthetase syndrome." Inclusion criteria comprised all articles published in English, excluding animal studies and those solely focused on anti-synthetase autoantibodies rather than the syndrome itself. The articles were then screened for presence of terminology used for anti-synthetase syndrome and any abbreviations for the disease. <h3>Results:</h3> The search yielded a total of n=936 items with the specified terms. After excluding 303 irrelevant articles and 58 non-English publications, the remaining n=575 articles underwent detailed review of the abstract and the full article. The data collected was representative of 47 nationalities from all over the globe. The term "anti-synthetase syndrome" made its inaugural appearance in 1992, and for the subsequent decade, no abbreviations were employed (until 2002) (Figure 1). Out of n=575, there was variability in the terminology used as well with 54.7% (n=314) using 'antisynthetase syndrome' and 43.4% (n=249) preferring 'anti-synthetase syndrome' with few articles mentioning novel names as well (Table 1). Among these, 394 articles used abbreviations while 181 did not. Most utilized term was ASS (44.3%, n=255), followed by AS (8.2%, n=47); ASSD (6.8%, n= 39) and ASyS (5.2%, n=30). Other less commonly deployed abbreviations included ARS (1.4%), anti-SS (1.2%), ASA (0.5%), Anti-SS-OM (0.3%), Anti-ARS (0.2%), SynS (0.2%) and Anti ARS syndrome (0.2%) (Table 1). <h3>Conclusion:</h3> A conspicuous discordance in nomenclature is evident, with about half using antisynthetase syndrome and other half using anti-synthetase syndrome. Moreover, significant heterogeneity exists in abbreviations with most employing ASS. There is a pressing need to bridge this disparity among the various terminology as well as abbreviation to establish a uniform identifier for the disease. Therefore, it is imperative to cultivate a consensus on an all-acceptable nomenclature to alleviate confusion and enhance clarity in communication. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] Santiago Villalobos R, López-Campos Bodineau JL, Rodríguez Becerra E, Laserna Martínez E, Luque Crespo E, Borja Urbano G. Síndrome antisintetasa y afección pulmonar intersticial. Descripción de 6 casos [Antisynthetase syndrome and interstitial lung involvement. Report of 6 cases]. Arch Bronconeumol. 2002 Oct;38(10):495-8. Spanish. doi: 10.1016/s0300-2896(02)75273-3. PMID: 12372202. [2] Sturgess A. Recently characterised autoantibodies and their clinical significance. Aust N Z J Med. 1992 Jun;22(3):279-89. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1992.tb02126.x. PMID: 1497555. [3] Mahler M, Miller FW, Fritzler MJ. Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and the anti-synthetase syndrome: a comprehensive review. Autoimmun Rev. 2014 Apr-May;13(4-5):367-71. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.01.022. Epub 2014 Jan 11. PMID: 24424190; PMCID: PMC3970575 <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Anushka Aggarwal: None declared, Tanya Chandra: None declared, Parth Ladha: None declared, Srijan Mittal: None declared, Saloni Haldule: None declared, Simran Nirmal: None declared, Namratha Edpuganti: None declared, Nakul Jain: None declared, Rohit Aggarwal Actigraph, Alexion, ANI Parmaceuticals, Argenx, AstrZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol Myers-Sqibb, CabalettaBio, Capella Bioscience, Corbus, CSL Behring, EMD Serono, Galapagos, Horizon Therapeutics, I-cell, Janssen, Kezar, Kyverna, Merck, Novartis, Nuvig Therapeutics, Octapharma, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roivant, Sanofi, Teva, Artsome, Capstanx, Manta, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers-Squibb, EMD Serono, Jassen, Mallinckrodt, Pfizer, Q32.