Anti-cyclic citrullinated antibodies: complementary to IgM rheumatoid factor in the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the diagnostic sensitivity of anti-cyclic citrullinated (CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) within a general hospital setting.


METHODS
Using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria as a gold standard, the frequency of RF and anti-CCP antibody positivity was compared between two groups of RA patients: those with disease duration less than 2 years (early RA, ERA) and those with disease duration more than 2 years (late RA, LRA).


RESULTS
In ERA, the diagnostic sensitivity of RF and anti-CCP antibodies was 57% and 79% respectively. In LRA, it was 81% and 84% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-CCP antibodies are 20% more sensitivity than RF in the diagnosis of early RA.
Solanki
Kamal
K
Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Spellerberg
Myfanwy
M
Chapman
Peter
P
Moller
Peter
P
O'Donnell
John
J
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002956:Citrulline / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000276:immunology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D002956:Citrulline; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor