Antisynthetase syndrome — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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EasyConnective Tissue DiseasesAntisynthetase syndromeSCE Rheumatology

A 72-year-old woman has mechanic's hands, inflammatory arthritis, myositis, non-specific interstitial pneumonia on HRCT and anti-Jo-1 antibodies. What is the most important complication to screen for?

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Correct answer: E — Progressive interstitial lung disease

Progressive interstitial lung disease is the single best answer because anti-Jo-1 with myositis, arthritis, mechanic's hands and ILD indicates antisynthetase syndrome. The stem is testing complication screening, not isolated recall, so the relevant clinical pattern and risk context determine the answer. Mixed connective tissue disease is less suitable because it fits a different clinical pattern or a different treatment threshold; Primary Sjögren's disease, Repeat ANA titre alone and Adalimumab do not address the key discriminator in this vignette. Clinical pearl: in SCE-style rheumatology questions, autoantibodies, imaging and synovial fluid findings should be interpreted with the whole phenotype.

Reference: BSR/EULAR connective tissue disease recommendations; BNF