Abstract
PurposeThe aim of this study was to correlate the presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) antibodies with rheumatoid disease activity and dry eye disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Patients and methodsA total of 69 patients were evaluated for the activity of RA using the Disease Activity Score (DAS-28), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. We used the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index to assess functional disability. Anti-CCP and anti-MCV antibodies were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. We assessed dry eye symptoms using Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Clinical tests used for dry eye assessment included Schirmer’s test, tear breakup time test, and ocular surface fluorescein staining.ResultsAnti-CCP antibody serum levels significantly correlated with DAS (r=0.46, P=0.036), Schirmer’s test (r=0.40, P=0.038), and ocular surface fluorescein staining (r=0.6, P=0.04). Anti-MCV antibody serum levels correlated with DAS (r=0.5, P=0.04), ocular surface fluorescein staining (r=0.9, P=0.007), and OSDI score (r=0.3, P=0.03). DAS showed a nonsignificant correlation with OSDI score and all tests of dry eye. OSDI score significantly correlated with Schirmer’s test (P=0.036).ConclusionDry eye is the most common ocular manifestation in our investigated patients with RA. Dry eye disease existence is not correlated with disease activity, hence all patients with RA should be regularly examined for dye eye regardless of disease severity. Rheumatologists could use the OSDI questionnaire for screening dry eye disease in patients with RA. The presence of anti-CCP and anti-MCV antibodies may denote the existence of dry eye disease and correlates with RA disease activity.
Highlights
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic autoimmune disease
The aim of this study was to correlate the presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibodies with rheumatoid disease activity and dry eye disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Dry eye disease existence is not correlated with disease activity, all patients with RA should be regularly examined for dye eye regardless of disease severity
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic autoimmune disease. It is mainly characterized by persistent joint inflammation that results in the loss of joint function and morbidity [1,2].Extra-articular manifestations in patients with RA may involve a multiplicity of organs and are of diverse severity [3,4]. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic autoimmune disease. It is mainly characterized by persistent joint inflammation that results in the loss of joint function and morbidity [1,2]. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies can be detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, and detection of these antibodies was found to be a more specific serum test for RA than the rheumatoid factor (RF) titer [8]. Several studies demonstrated that anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) antibodies have the same specificity as anti-CCP antibodies, but with better sensitivity [9,10,11]. A significant correlation has been established between anti-MCV antibody titers and
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
