Presence of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To determine the prevalence of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (antiCCP) in patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and its potential clinical significance. Methods Anti-CCP was measured in sera from patients with JSLE (n=47), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, n=54) and the sera from age-matched healthy children (n=40) using the third generation of anti-CCP ELISA commercial kit. The association of anti-CCP with other laboratory parameters and clinical features, especially arthritic symptoms in JSLE was also analyzed. T-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results Out of the 47 JSLE patients, 6 (13%) were anti-CCP positive, which was significantly higher than that of the healthy controls( 13% vs 0, P＜0.05 ), but not different from that of the JIA group (26%, P=0.098). RF was more prevalent in JSLE patients with anti-CCP than patients without (83% vs 15%, P＜0.01 ), but there was no difference in other laboratory parameters and the clinical features ineluding the occurrence of arthritis (67% vs 51%, P＞0.05). As one of the initial symptoms, arthritis was observed in 25 of 47 JSLE patients and no one had developed deforming arthropathy.There was no statistical difference in anti-CCP positivity between JSLE patients with and without articular involvement ( 16% vs 9%, P＞0.05 ). Anti-CCP was not detected in any of the 3 patients with JSLE who had experienced joint pain and limited activity during 3 years follow-up. Conclusion Anti-CCP could be detected in patients with JSLE. It is noteworthy when differentiate from juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but the presence of anti-CCP does not relate with the occurrence of arthritis at presentation and persistence of arthritis in JSLE.