Examinations
Examinations
Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (Anti-CCP) antibodies are a highly specific marker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a common autoimmune disease that leads to joint damage and deformation. In some cases, RA may also present with extra-articular manifestations.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment significantly impact disease outcomes, making Anti-CCP testing a valuable tool for detecting RA at its initial stages.
Clinical Significance of Anti-CCP Testing
The clinical specificity of the Anti-CCP test is:
- 99.5% in healthy individuals
- 97% in patients with similar diseases (ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune thyroiditis, Crohn’s disease, dermatomyositis, Lyme disease, osteoarthritis, scleroderma, Sjögren’s syndrome, etc.)
- 0.3%false positives
Anti-CCP test results should always be interpreted alongside:
- Clinical symptoms
- Patient history
- Imaging and other laboratory findings
Sample: Venous blood
Pre-test recommendations:
- The test can be taken 4 hours after a light meal.
- Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis
- Diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (when rheumatoid factor (RF) is negative)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, causing inflammation, pain, stiffness, and progressive joint deformation. In some cases, extra-articular manifestations may also occur, affecting organs and connective tissues.
Association with Other Connective Tissue Diseases
In certain cases, RA may coexist with other connective tissue disorders, including:
- Scarlet fever (scarlatina)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
- Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)