Analysis of clinical significance of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP antibody) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Abstract

  Objective : To examine clinical significance of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP antibody) in RA. Methods : Hundred fifteen patients with polyarthralgia (89 females, 26 males) were recruited, and subjected for the study. We studied anti-CCP antibody, ESR, CRP, IgM-RF, IgG-RF, RAPA, MMP-3, CARF, C1q-IC, Stage, Class, Joint score, Sharp score, KL-6, SP-D, chest CT. Results : Anti-CCP antibody test had high specificity (93.5%). In RA with positive anti-CCP antibody, Sharp score (10.9±22.4) was higher than those with negative anti-CCP (1.7±1.8), and may serve as a prognostic marker of joint destruction (P<0.05). Anti-CCP antibody in RA with interstitial pneumonia is higher (84.5±36.4 U/mL) than those without interstitial pneumonia (52.6±44.7 U/mL) (P<0.05). Conclusion : Anti-CCP antibody is useful for diagnosis of RA, and could be a specific marker of joint destruction. Further investigation is necessary to clarify the relation of anti-CCP antibody with organ involvement and activity of RA.