25rhk007 10.3205/25rhk007 urn:nbn:de:0183-25rhk0072 Meeting Abstract Mayr Mayr Sarah S

Asklepios Klinik Bad Abbach, Rheumatologie, Bad Abbach

author Dollinger Dollinger Margit M

Asklepios Klinik Bad Abbach, Rheumatologie, Bad Abbach

author Ehrenstein Ehrenstein Boris B

Asklepios Klinik Bad Abbach, Rheumatologie, Bad Abbach

author Günther Günther Florian F

Asklepios Klinik Bad Abbach, Rheumatologie, Bad Abbach

author Knies Knies Christine C

medac GmbH, Wedel

author Fleck Fleck Martin M

Asklepios Klinik Bad Abbach, Rheumatologie, Bad Abbach Uniklinikum Regensburg, Innere Medizin I, Regensburg

author German Medical Science GMS Publishing House

Düsseldorf

610 20250917 engl This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). M0627 007 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädische Rheumatologie 53. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie (DGRh), 39. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Orthopädische Rheumatologie (DGORh) Deutscher Rheumatologiekongress 2025 Diagnostik & Bildgebung Wiesbaden 20250917 20250920 DI.10 TextBackground: Autoantibodies against cell nuclei (ANA) play a crucial role in diagnosing autoimmune diseases, particularly connective tissue diseases. The gold standard for ANA detection is the visual interpretation of indirect immunofluorescence testing (VI-IIFT) using human epithelial (HEp-2) cells . Since this method is time-consuming and labor-intensive, research is focusing on automated evaluation systems utilizing artificial intelligence (AI).Methods: A total of 143 consecutive serum samples from routine clinical care were collected from patients visiting our tertiary Rheumatology center, and included in the study. For these samples, both VI-IIFT (with ANA HEp-2 cells from AESKU, Germany) and an AI-based method for automated evaluation of processed immunofluorescence slides (akiron® NEO by Medipan) were performed . Titer levels and the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP) classification were analyzed. The primary outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, and concordance of titer concentration.Results: Of the 143 analyzed samples, VI-IIFT, as the gold standard, classified 40 samples (28%) as negative and 102 (72%) as positive, whereas the automated interpretation identified 69 samples (48.3%) as negative and 74 (51.7%) as positive. When compared to the reference standard, the AI-based method showed no false-positive results, yielding a specificity of 100%. However, its sensitivity was limited to 71.8%.The ICAP classification was most reliable for AC-3, where specificity reached 100%. Notably, titer levels in the automated evaluations were frequently assessed at higher values than in the gold standard interpretation.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a specificity of 100% for AI-assisted ANA interpretation compared to the gold standard VI-IIFT. However, sensitivity was only 71.8%, indicating a need for further optimization. Further research and algorithm refinement (e.g., improved pattern recognition and titer calibration) are necessary to enhance sensitivity and support its future implementation as a reliable screening method.Disclosures: The study was supported by Medipan, which provided the akiron® NEO analyzer. Alsuwaidi M Dollinger M Fleck M Ehrenstein B The Reliability of a Novel Automated System for ANA Immunofluorescence Analysis in Daily Clinical Practice 2016 Int J Rheumatol 6019268 Alsuwaidi M, Dollinger M, Fleck M, Ehrenstein B. The Reliability of a Novel Automated System for ANA Immunofluorescence Analysis in Daily Clinical Practice. Int J Rheumatol. 2016;2016:6019268. DOI: 10.1155/2016/6019268 http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/6019268 Medipan & GA Generic Assays 4450 – akiron® NEO Medipan & GA Generic Assays. 4450 – akiron® NEO. [accessed 2025 Mar 16]. Available from: https://www.medipan.de/products/akiron-neo/ https://www.medipan.de/products/akiron-neo/ 0 0 0 0