Question
I am 61 yrs. old, & was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia over 15 years ago. My index & pinky fingers (both hands)are very painful,swollen with some deformity, loss of motion and ulnar deviation.  One joint in right great toe has been replaced and left needs to be done.  I also have some non-specific lung nodules and had a pleural effusion some yrs. ago.  My chest and ribs are extremely sore and painful, as are almost all of my vertebre.  Fagigue has been extreme (stopped working 3 yrs. ago) and also extreme thirst and dryness.  Additionally, I had a non-aged related cateract removed when in my 40's.  Recently, I had a positive ANA Direct of 160 EU and Positive Anti-DNA (SS) IgG, Ab, Qn of 33 EU.  Is it possible I could have had Lupus or RA all this time?  And, how positive are my tests - slightly, moderately, high?  There is hardly any info regarding results in EU's.
Any information will be welcomed and I thank you for your time.

Answer
EU is a percentage type measurement. I do not know exactly what it means.

Your symptoms as describe are consistent with RA. It is very likely that you have had this for years. The ANA and anti-DNA both verify this. While it is possible that it is lupus it is less likely because you should have had skin symptoms a long time ago and does not cause deformity in fingers as RA will.

Rusty