Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody: An Early Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives: To evaluate the role of Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP) antibody and Rheumatoid Factor (RF) in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients. Methods: The present study comprised of 60 clinically diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients and 30 apparently healthy subjects as controls. Among 60 RA patients, 30 were < 2 years duration and 30 were 3 to15 years duration. Anti-CCP and RF levels were analyed by ELISA and immunoturbidimetric assay respectively. Disease activity was assessed by disease duration, duration of morning stiffness, hand deformity and radiological findings. Anti-CCP and rheumatoid factor were measured. Result: A valid comparison showed that autoantibodies directed to citrullinated antigen-anti-CCP superior to RF for the detection of RA. Anti-CCP antibodies have an independent role in predicting radiological damage and progression in RA patients. Conclusion: With their excellent specificity, anti-CCP antibodies used as serological marker in establishing the diagnosis of RA. Anti-CCP antibodies discriminated accurately between erosive and nonerosive RA making them a potentially good prognostic marker for the disease.