Evaluation of different Rheumatoid factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with disease activity and response to therapy

ABSTRACT

Antibodies to citrullinated proteins have been described in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and these appear to be the most specific markers of the disease. Our objective was to determine the frequency of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated [CCPs] in patients with RA and investigate that. Comparison of available serologic rheumatoid markers in patient with rheumatoid arthritis [anti-CCP and rheumatoid factor]and correlation of the relevance of these markers to disease activity and their sensitivity to anti rheumatoid drugs. Patients divide into two groups 1[st] group contain 30 patients with RA [Newly diagnosed], 2[nd] group contain 30 patients with RA [Receiving different therapies] and 10 consider as healthy control group, median age of patient 25 years, range [10-35 years]. This study was conducted in the outpatient rheumatology unit of Damanhour Medical Institute. There was no significant difference between the anti-CCP positive and negative patients with RA. There was also no significant correlation between anti-CCP antibody and ESR, CRP. A small but significant correlation was found between RF and anti-CCP antibody. Anti-CCP antibodies had a better diagnostic value than RF for RA. However the moderate sensitivity and high specificity of anti CCP antibodies for RA, along with the appearance of anti-CCP antibodies before disease onset, suggest that anti-CCP antibodies be included in the classification criteria for RA