Abstract
We evaluated the association between anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) and anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibodies (anti-MCV) with the presence of extra-articular (ExRA) manifestations in 225 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ninety-five patients had ExRA and 130 had no ExRA. There was no association of anti-CCP and anti-MCV levels with the presence of ExRA as total group (P = 0.40 and P = 0.91, resp.). Making an analysis of individual manifestations, rheumatoid nodules were associated with positivity for rheumatoid factor (RF); (P = 0.01), anti-CCP (P = 0.048), and anti-MCV (P = 0.02). Instead, RF, anti-CCP, or anti-MCV were not associated with SS, chronic anemia, or peripheral neuropathy. Levels of anti-CCP correlated with the score of the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-Di) (r = 0.154, P = 0.03), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); (r = 0.155, P = 0.03), and RF (P = 0.254, P < 0.001), whereas anti-MCV titres only correlated with RF (r = 0.169, P = 0.02). On adjusted analysis, ExRA was associated with longer age (P = 0.015), longer disease duration (P = 0.007), higher DAS-28 score (P = 0.002), and higher HAQ-DI score (P = 0.007), but serum levels of anti-CCP and anti-MCV were not associated. These findings show the need to strengthen the evaluation of the pathogenic mechanisms implied in each specific ExRA manifestation.
Highlights
Extra-articular manifestations (ExRA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been observed with at a frequency of 17.8 to 40.9% [1]
Our results showed that 42% of our patients had ExRA; the variables associated with this involvement in the adjusted analysis are older age, longer disease duration, DAS-28 score, and HAQ-DI score, whereas no association was observed between anti-CCP or anti-MCV antibodies and ExRA as general group
For specific ExRA, there was a weak association between the presence of rheumatoid nodules and positivity for rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP, or anti-MCV antibodies but no relationship was found between these autoantibodies and SS, chronic anemia, or peripheral neuropathy
Summary
Extra-articular manifestations (ExRA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been observed with at a frequency of 17.8 to 40.9% [1]. These manifestations may involve a multiplicity of organs and are of diverse severity [2]. Turesson et al in a case-control study found an association of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP with the presence of ExRA, these authors observed a borderline not significant difference in anti-CCP levels in ExRA compared with their controls without ExRA [7]. Korkmaz et al did not observe an association between anti-CCP with ExRA in patients with long disease duration or with early RA [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
