Objective  To analyze the clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) and improve clinicians' understanding of ASS.

Methods  The clinical data of sixteen ASS patients admitted to Changde Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University (The First People's Hospital of Changde City) were analyzed retrospectively, and the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of the disease were summarized.

Results  Among the 16 patients, 11 were female and 5 were males, with the main symptom being shortness of breath. Of the antisynthetase antibodies, there were 10 cases with positive anti-histidine tRNA synthetase (Jo-1) antibody, 2 cases with positive anti-threonyl tRNA synthetase (PL-7) antibody, 2 cases with positive anti-glycyl tRNA synthetase (EJ) antibody, 1 case with positive anti-Jo-1 antibody and positive anti-leucyl tRNA synthetase (OJ) antibody, and 1 case with positive anti-asparaginyl tRNA synthetase (KS) antibody, positive anti-PL-7 antibody and positive anti-alanyl tRNA synthetase (PL^-12) antibody. Cytologic classification test through alveolar lavage fluid mainly showed that neutrophils and eosinophils increased. Pulmonary function indicated different degrees of restrictive ventilatory dysfunction and decreased diffusing capacity. The chest CT is mainly manifested as honeycomb shadow, grid shadow, ground glass opacities or consolidation and predominantly in the subpleural with bilateral lower lungs predilection. Two patients also had pleural effusion. Glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide were used in the treatment, and a certain effect was achieved.

Conclusion  The main symptoms of ASS are shortness of breath, fever and joint pain. Serum anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibody is positive. Clinicians should strengthen the understanding of ASS, and take the diagnosis of ASS into account for patients with fever, shortness of breath, polyarthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon and mechanician hands, so as to check anti-ARS antibody as early as possible.

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