| Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (Anti-CCP) antibodies test is a highly specific marker for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) that is detected in 70% of RA patients in the early stages of disease. Unlike Rheumatoid Factor (RF), CCP is found almost exclusively in those with RA.1 Specificity of (Anti-CCP) antibodies was 98.2% in 499 non-RA patients (299 with other rheumatic and non-rheumatic disorders, 200 from asymptomatic apparently healthy individuals).2 |
|
| Non-RA and RA is problematic because there is currently no laboratory test or single symptom of RA that can lead to a definitive diagnosis, and disease presentation is highly variable from patient to patient. Early confirmation of RA is important because studies have shown that aggressive therapy during the earliest stages of disease can lead to decreased disease activity and reduced joint damage.3 More useful diagnostic and prognostic information may be obtained when Anti-CCP and RF antibodies tests are used together. |
|
| Sources: |
| 1. Kroot EJJA, de Jong BAW, van Leeuwen MA, et al. The prognostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 2000;43:1831-5. |
| 2. Abbott Alinity Anti-CCP reagent package insert: ABBL502R01. November 2017. |
| 3. Orbach H, Gilburd B, Brickman CM, Gerli R, Shoenfeld Y. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies as a diagnostic test for rheumatoid arthritis and predictor of erosive disease. IMAJ 2002;4(Suppl):892-3. |