Long-term smoking significantly reduces serum levels of immunoglobulins in humans but may increase the levels of some autoantibodies, in particular ANA.[10] Decreased prevalence of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies amongst patients with SS had been reported by Bartoloni et al[26] and of both antiRo/SSA and anti-La/SSB by Manthorpe et al.;[31] however, the study by Karabulut only found a positive association of current smoking with elevated ANA[29]. This evidence concerns the gene SSB and synovial sarcoma.