# Increased antinuclear (anti-Sm) antibodies in infertile patients with peritoneal endometriosis

## TL;DR

This study found higher levels of anti-Sm antibodies in infertile women with mild endometriosis compared to fertile women.

## Contribution

The study identifies a novel association between anti-Sm antibodies and minimal/mild endometriosis in infertile patients.

## Key findings

- Anti-Sm antibody levels were higher in infertile women with endometriosis.
- No significant differences were found for anti-RNP and anti-SS-A antibodies between the groups.
- The study links endometriosis to increased autoimmunity as indicated by anti-Sm antibodies.

## Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the intensity of five antibodies against
extractable nuclear antigens (ENA: RNP, ScL-70, SS-B, SS-A, and Sm) in
infertile patients with endometriosis.

We investigated infertile women with minimal/mild endometriosis (n=43) and
fertile women (n=46).

The intensity of immunoreactions was also similar for anti-RNP and anti-SS-A
antibodies. However, the intensity of immunoreactivity for anti-Sm
antibodies was higher in the endometriosis group.

Patients with minimal/mild endometriosis have higher levels of anti-Sm
autoantibodies.