ANTI SYNTHETASE SYNDROME:AN UNDERDIAGNOSED AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE.
Antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) is a rare, chronic autoimmune disease and is a sub-group of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. The hallmark of this disorder is the presence of autoantibodies against the aminoacyl-transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) synthetase. Patient presents with fever, exanthema on the hands (also referred to as mechanic’s hands), myositis, and/or interstitial lung disease (ILD), and/or articular involvement. Nearly 70% of patients with ASS presents with signs and symptoms of ILD. We are reporting a case of patient who was having ILD, who turned out to have ASS on further workup. ASS as causal diagnosis is missed many a times. As early and exact diagnosis has crucial therapeutic and prognostic implication, knowledge about this syndrome and high level of suspicion is of utmost importance.