Anti-Ro/SSA antibodies are found in 40–90% of patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The antibodies can be detected years before symptoms of SLE surface, making them an effective diagnostic tool.
In patients with SLE, high levels of Anti-Ro/SSA are correlated with elevated levels of IFN-α. The presence of Anti-Ro/SSA antibodies also correlates with symptoms of photosensitivity, cutaneous vasculitis, and hematological disorders.
In individuals with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), a subcategory of lupus erythematosus, elevated levels of Ro52 are found regardless of expression of Anti-Ro autoantibodies.