--they are for variations of the anti-nuclear antibody (DS=double stranded); even rheumatoid factor is considered by some to be a variation of that antibody pattern.

And that reason is that all of the anti-nuclear antibody associated vascular/connective tissue disorders can be associated with peripheral neuropathies, either through direct compressive effects or through vascular insufficiency.

Take a look at:

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/antib...x.html#vascgen