Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic values of laboratory variables, to present quantitative evaluations of the anti citrullinated protein / peptide antibody (ACPA), or anti CCP ( anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, anti-CCP 2) antibodies in second generation antibody assay diagnostic test with reference to sensitivity and specificity, the predictive value of the positive and negative test and precision of the test for ACPA antibodies, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein and DAS 28 index, in the early diagnosis of untreated rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and methods: 70 participants (35 patients with rheumatoid arthritis not treated, 35 individuals as healthy controls) took part in the study. Their serum was examined using ELISA technology of DIA-STAT TM Anti-CCP (Axis–Shield Diagnostics). Rheumatoid factor was examined with the test for agglutination (Latex RF test). Results: We found the presence of ACPA antibodies (sensitivity of the test 65.71%) in 23 of the 35 examined patients with rheumatoid arthritis while rheumatoid factor appeared in 17 patients (sensitivity of the test 48.57%). Twelve patients were ACPA and rheumatoid factor positive, 11 were ACPA positive, but rheumatoid factor negative. Five patients were ACPA negative and rheumatoid factor positive. In 17 rheumatoid factor positive patients, ACPA antibodies were positive in 12 patients. Of 18 rheumatoid factor negative patients, 11 were ACPA positive. In the healthy control group, 1 patient was anti-CCP 2 positive, while 2 patients were rheumatoid factor positive. Conclusion: ACPA antibodies have higher sensitivity and specificity than rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis.
Highlights
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, multifunctional in origin, characterised by the inflammation of the membrane lining joints
The diagnosis of the RA was established on the basis of the revised diagnostic criteria for classification of rheumatoid arthritis, suggested in 1987 by the American Association for Rheumatism (ARA) [17]
Out of 35 patients with RA, Rheumatoid Factor (RF) was present in 17 patients (48.57%), while 23 patients (65.71%) showed presence of anti citrullinated protein / peptide antibody (ACPA) antibody, 12 patients were ACPA and RF positive (34.28%), 11 patients (31.42%) were ACPA positive and RF negative, while 5 patients (14.28%) were ACPA negative and RF positive
Summary
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, multifunctional in origin, characterised by the inflammation of the membrane lining joints. RF is not specific for RA, as it is often present in healthy individuals and patients with other autoimmune diseases and chronic infections [2]. Antibodies to anti-perinuclear factor (APF) and keratin (AKA) are considered as highly specific for RA. The lack of availability of suitable buccal cell donors has limited the use of APF as a routine laboratory test. The antigen of both these antibodies has been identified as epidermal filaggrin, an intermediate filamentassociated protein involved in the cornification of the epidermis [5,6]. The antibodies in patients with RA that recognized the citrulline containing epitopes were predominantly of the IgG class and of relatively high affinity [8]. In a subsequent paper [9] it is reported
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
