Antisynthetase syndrome — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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EasyConnective Tissue DiseasesAntisynthetase syndromeSCE Rheumatology

A 53-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 likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: B — Antisynthetase syndrome

Antisynthetase syndrome is the single best answer because anti-Jo-1 with myositis, arthritis, mechanic's hands and ILD indicates antisynthetase syndrome. The stem is testing diagnostic synthesis, 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