STAT4 Gene Variant rs7574865 Is Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis Activity and Anti-CCP Levels in the Western but Not in the Southern Population of Mexico.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease. Currently, several genes play an important role in the development of the disease. The objective was to evaluate the association of the STAT4 rs7574865 and rs897200 gene variants with RA susceptibility, DAS28, RF, and anti-CCP in Western and Southern Mexico populations. Genotyping was performed on 476 samples (cases = 240; controls = 236) using the Taqman® system and qPCR probes. Disease activity was assessed using DAS28 and HAQ DI. CRP, ESR, RF, and anti-CCP were determined for clinical assessment. Our study showed there is a statistically significant association with susceptibility to RA for the rs7574865 variant in the Western population for the GT and TT genotypes. The same genotypes also showed a moderate-to-high activity according to DAS28 and positive anti-CCP compared to the control group. This association was not found in the Southern population. This work confirms the association of the rs7574865 variant with RA, as well as a moderate-to-high activity and positive anti-CCP in the Western population but not in the Southern population. No association of the rs897200 variant was found in any of the studied populations.

Investigation of periodontitis, halitosis, xerostomia, and serological characteristics of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and identification of new biomarkers.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two different types of arthritis. Within RA, the subsets between seronegative RA (snRA) and seropositive RA (spRA) represent distinct disease entities; however, identifying clear distinguishing markers between them remains a challenge. This study investigated and compared the oral health conditions in patients with RA and OA to clarify the differences from healthy controls. In addition, we investigated the serological characteristics of the patients, the factors that distinguished patients with RA from those with OA, and the main factors that differentiated between snRA and spRA patients. A total of 161 participants (mean age: 52.52 ± 14.57 years, 32 males and 129 females) were enrolled in this study and categorized as: normal (n = 33), OA (n = 31), and RA (n = 97). Patients with RA were divided into the following two subtypes: snRA (n = 18) and spRA (n = 79). Demographics, oral health, and serological characteristics of these patients were compared. The prevalence of periodontal diseases was significantly higher in patients with OA (100%) and RA (92.8%) than in healthy controls (0.0%). However, the presence of periodontal diseases was not utilized as a distinguishing factor between OA and RA. Xerostomia occurred more frequently in patients with RA (84.5%) than in patients with OA (3.2%) and healthy controls (0.0%) (all p < 0.001). ROC analysis revealed that periodontal disease was a very strong predictor in the diagnosis of OA compared to healthy controls, with an AUC value of 1.00 (p < 0.001). Additionally, halitosis (AUC = 0.746, 95% CI 0.621-0.871, p < 0.001) and female sex (AUC = 0.663, 95% CI 0.529-0.797, p < 0.05) were also significant predictors of OA. The strongest predictors of RA diagnosis compared to healthy controls were periodontal diseases (AUC = 0.964), followed by xerostomia (AUC = 0.923), age (AUC = 0.923), female sex (AUC = 0.660), and halitosis (AUC = 0.615) (all p < 0.05). Significant serological predictors of RA were anti-CCP Ab (AUC = 0.808), and RF (AUC = 0.746) (all p < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, xerostomia (odds ratio, OR: 8124.88, 95% CI 10.37-6368261.97, p-value = 0.008) and Anti-CCP Ab (OR: 671.33, 95% CI 2.18-207,074.02, p = 0.026) were significant predictors for RA compared to OA. When diagnosing spRA compared to snRA, anti-CCP Ab (AUC = 1.000, p < 0.001) and RF (AUC = 0.910, 95%CI 0.854-0.967, p < 0.001) had outstanding predictive performances. Therefore, clinicians and researchers should thoroughly evaluate the oral status of both OA and RA patients, alongside serological factors, and consider these elements as potential predictors.

Risk factors for the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease: a multicenter retrospective clinical study / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To explore the impact of clinical features, serological indicators, and pulmonary function test (PFT) on the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).Methods:Clinical data of RA-ILD patients who were diagnosed by HRCT and were followed up in Changhai Hospital or Yancheng First People's Hospital from 2011 to 2021 were collected Respiratory functional impairment of the patients was evaluated according to the changes of HRCT score and PFT, and the patients were divided into progressive group and stable group. COX survival analysis and ROC curve were used to determine the factors related to the progression of RA-ILD.Results:Finally 98 RA-ILD patients were included. The mean age of ILD onset was (62.9±12.1) years old, the median course of RA was 7.0 (1.0, 15.3)years, and the median follow-up time was 36.5 months (14.0, 79.5). There were 49 cases in the progressive group, and the clinical characteristics and laboratory tests of the two groups were compared. The results showed that: progressive time [(23(8.5,43.0)months vs 63(32.5,90.9) months, Z=-4.55, P=0.001)], HRCT score [(115(109,135) vs 111(105,116), Z=-2.70, P=0.007)], forced vital capacity(FVC) predicted [(70.1±15.7)% vs (80.8±19.7)%, t=2.12, P=0.039)], diffusing capacity of the lungs for CO(DLCO) predicted [(57.5±16.3)% vs (83.4±18.8)%, t=4.87, P=0.001)], male [(44.9% vs 18.4%, χ2=7.97, P=0.005)], UIP pattern [(36(73.5%) vs 9(18.4%), χ2=29.96, P<0.001)], RF>200 U/ml[(21(65.6%) vs 18(41.9%), χ2=4.15, P=0.042)], anti-CCP>75 U/ml [(42(91.3%) vs 35(71.4%), χ2=6.10, P=0.013], all had significantly different between the two groups. In multivariate analyses, UIP[ HR(95% CI)=3.25(1.62,6.50), P<0.001], anti-CCP antibody >75 U/ ml[ HR(95% CI)=3.85 (1.20,12.33), P=0.023] and smoking [ HR (95% CI): 5.74(1.10, 30.13), P=0.039] were significantly correlated with the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in RA-ILD patients. PFT was performed in only 44 patients with RA-ILD. The univariate analyses and ROC curve suggested that DLCO predicted [ HR (95% CI)=1.04 (1.02,1.06), P<0.001] was a significant risk factor for the progression of RA-ILD, and the area under curve (AUC) of DLCO was 0.845 [95% CI=(0.729,0.961)]. Conclusion:UIP pattern, high titer of anti-CCP antibody, smoking, and reduced DLCO predicted % may be potential predictors for poor prognosis of RA-ILD patients.

Adult-Onset Still's Disease Complicated by Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis and anti-CCP Antibody-Positive Arthritis.

A 38-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for arthralgia, fever, skin rash, and purpura. He was diagnosed as having adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) based on Yamaguchi's criteria. Skin biopsy revealed immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis. He was also found to have anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody-positive inflammatory arthritis on a shoulder joint, however he did not fulfill classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. Elevated serum cytokine such as serum IL-18 supported the diagnosis of AOSD. His symptoms improved with 40 mg of prednisolone plus cyclosporin A (200 mg/day). Two years after hospitalization, AOSD was relapsed with pleurisy and hyperferritinemia. Finally, he was diagnosed with multicyclic systemic type of AOSD complicated by IgA vasculitis and seropositivity of anti-CCP antibody. Clinicians need to consider the complication of multiple rheumatic diseases, even if the disease-specific autoantibody is positive.

A Closer Look at the Role of Anti-CCP Antibodies in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease and Bronchiectasis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an articular disease with extra-articular manifestations. Pulmonary manifestations are not uncommon and can involve all compartments of the lungs with airway disease in the form of bronchiectasis or bronchiolitis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), pleural effusions and parenchymal lung nodules. The pulmonary features may present synchronously or after the articular disease, but, importantly, it may be the first presentation in 10% of patients in the absence of articular symptoms. Here we discuss the pathogenesis of RA lung involvement, particularly interstitial lung disease and bronchiectasis, focusing on the role anti-CCP antibodies (ACPAs). We highlight the complex interplay among genetic, environmental and immune factors. Furthermore, we explore the relationship of citrullination and smoking as well as the concept of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF), where patients do not have evidence of another known cause of interstitial pneumonia and have incomplete features of connective tissue disease (CTD). We surmise that the frequency and titers of rheumatoid factor (RF) and ACPAs are increased in bronchiectasis and RA-bronchiectasis compared to RA patients without lung disease. ACPA is associated with more severe disease in both RA-ILD and RA-bronchiectasis even in the absence of articular symptoms. There is no clear prediction of development of articular RA with high ACPA levels in the context of positive ACPA and ILD; however, in RA-bronchiectasis, patients with positive antibodies can develop RA within a year after diagnosis of bronchiectasis. Though the primary focus of this narrative is to highlight the role of ACPA in pathogenesis and clinical practice, we also discuss the current treatment options and trials in RA-ILD and RA-bronchiectasis. Currently, there are no clear treatment guidelines. The treatments are now focusing on using a combination of immunosuppression and antifibrotic agents. Combination treatment targets both the fibrotic and inflammatory components of the disease process. Further studies are needed to identify the use of ACPA as a biomarker to tailor the treatment in RA-ILD and RA-bronchiectasis.

Usefulness of Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms for the Therapeutic Choice in Japanese Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by systemic synovitis with bone erosion and joint cartilage degradation. Although the analysis of polymorphisms in cytokine-encoding genes is important or understanding the pathophysiology of RA and selecting appropriate treatment for it, few studies have examined such single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) specifically in Japanese patients. This study was established to investigate the associations between polymorphisms in cytokine-encoding genes, autoantibodies and therapeutic responses in Japanese RA patients. METHODS: The subjects in this study consisted of 100 RA patients and 50 healthy controls. We extracted data on sex, age, disease duration, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody, and therapeutic responses, including to methotrexate (MTX) and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood, which was genotyped for IL-10, TNF-α, TGF-ß1, and IFN-γ polymorphisms. RESULTS: Regarding IL-10 (-592 C/A and -819 C/T), significant decreases in the frequencies of the IL-10 (-592) CC genotype and (-819) CC genotype were found in RA patients compared with the levels in controls. For IFN-γ (+874 T/A), a significant decrease in the frequency of the TT genotype was found in RA patients compared with that in controls. Regarding TGF-ß1 (+869 T/C), patients with positivity for anti-CCP antibody had a significantly lower frequency of the CC genotype than those with negativity for it. Furthermore, the IL-10 (-592) CC genotype and (-819) CC genotype might be related to the biological DMARD-response. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the analysis of polymorphisms in cytokine-encoding genes may be useful when selecting treatment for Japanese RA patients.

Familial Mediterranean fever phenotype progression into anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody-positive rheumatoid arthritis:a case report.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is caused by dysfunction of the MEFV gene product, pyrin. Here we report a case of FMF phenotype which developed into rheumatoid arthritis (RA), based on a positive result for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (Ab). A 42-year-old woman presented to our clinic with more than 6 months of intermittent arthralgia in the wrists, feet, and fingers associated with menstruation. No fever was reported and there was no family history of FMF or other autoimmune diseases. Laboratory tests revealed elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF). Tests for autoantibodies including anti-CCP Ab, antinuclear Ab, and anti-DNA Ab were all negative. Genetic analysis identified an R304R homozygous mutation in MEFV; however, the pathological significance is unclear because this mutation does not cause amino acid substitution. We diagnosed incomplete FMF phenotype despite the lack of fever due to periodic arthritis, lack of autoantibodies, and complete resolution of arthritis following colchicine treatment within a day. Several months later, increased stiffness and arthralgia persistently occurred in finger joints on both sides. Ultrasonography revealed synovitis at the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. Laboratory analysis revealed the patient to be positive for anti-CCP Ab. Therefore, we finally diagnosed RA. Her arthritis diminished following administration of methotrexate and salazosulfapyridine. We consider the possibility that pyrin dysfunction may have affected the acquired immunity, contributing to the onset of RA as an autoimmune disease. This is an interesting case of equivalent FMF progressing into RA and will be valuable to raise awareness of a continuum from autoinflammatory to autoimmune disease.

Rheumatoid factor versus anti - cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody as screening tool for rheumatoid arthritis in an ophthalmic clinic.

Patients with moderate to severe dry eyes are often screened at the Dry Eye Clinic to rule out connective tissue diseases. Rheumatoid factor (RF) is one of the screening tools to rule out rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients who turn out positive for the RF are often subjected to anti-CCP antibody evaluation for confirmation of disease. This article tries to highlight 3 cases of negative and anti-CCP antibody positive cases which presented to the ophthalmic clinic, unaware of their systemic status. Though RF is the cheapest modality to screen for RA, it is not always a reliable marker. One should order anti-CCP antibody for patients where suspicion is high, despite RF being normal.

Association between activity and genotypes of paraoxonase1 L55M (rs854560) increases the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis through oxidative stress.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered as a long-term autoimmune disorder. Gene polymorphism and oxidative stress might be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. We aimed to determine the association between PON-1L55M polymorphism and its effects on inflammatory markers such as anti-cytroline circulated-peptide (CCP)-antibodies, C-reactive protein (CRP), neopterin serum concentration, arylesterase (ARE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities and total-antioxidant-capacity (TAC) level with the activity of disease in RA patients. This case-control study consisted of 419 RA patients and 397 gender-age-matched unrelated healthy controls from the west of Iran. PON1-L55M polymorphism was detected by real-time-PCR. The TAC level, serum BuChE and ARE activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Anti-CCP-antibody and CRP were measured by ELISA and neopterin level was detected by HPLC. The PON1-M55 allele was associated with increased risk of the RA in cases with moderate or high activity (OR = 1.43, p = 0.023) and also in cases with the presence of anti-CCP antibody (OR = 1.51, p = 0.009). Synergistic effects of PON1 M55 and Q192 alleles resulted in 2.14 times (p = 0.021) increased disease activity among RA patients with moderate or high activity of the disease. RA patients carried both M (PON1 L55M) and Q alleles (PON1Q192R) had higher concentrations of neopterin (p = 0.003), anti-CCP-antibody (p < 0.001) and CRP (p = 0.026) and significantly lower TAC level (p < 0.001) and ARE (p < 0.001) activity compared to controls. The current study suggests there might be a relationship between genetic and activity of PON. Also, the PON1L55M and PON1Q192R could act in synergy to increase the risk of RA and enhance the level of oxidative stress markers.

The impact of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody status on the management of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: observational study results from Lithuania.

BACKGROUND: To provide data on the use of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) and other routinely used clinical parameters and to assess the impact of anti-CCP status on therapeutic decisions, an observational study was conducted in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Sixty-seven adult patients with a recent diagnosis of RA were recruited from four rheumatology centres in Lithuania and were prospectively observed for 12 months. Data collection was based on the review of medical records and routine examination of patients. Patients completed the Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index and Patient Global Assessment of disease activity using a visual analogue scale. Physicians were asked about the importance of the anti-CCP results and other factors important for therapeutic decisions. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients enrolled, 54 (80.6%) completed the study. At the beginning of the study, physicians considered anti-CCP results to be important for decision-making in 87.0% of patients. The perceived importance of anti-CCP results did not change significantly throughout the study. After one year of treatment, factors that were considered more important than the anti-CCP results included the presence of erosions, significantly increased C-reactive protein, duration of morning stiffness, multi-articular expanding, and rheumatoid factor status. For nearly half of the patients (n = 26; 48.1%), physicians would not change the treatment strategy if the patient had the opposite anti-CCP results at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that decision-making in the management of RA was based on multifactorial data. The role of anti-CCP as a single test in treatment decisions needs further investigation.

Chest Pain Due to Pericardial Effusion as Initial Presenting Feature of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Pericardial effusions are not uncommon in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, they are rarely the presenting symptom of the disease. We describe a 55-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with complaints of chest pain and dyspnea on exertion. Initial workup revealed a medium-sized pericardial effusion. The wide spectrum of etiologies, including infectious and non-infectious disease, was explored. Eventually, after ruling out an array of disease states, rheumatologic workup was positive for RA. The initial presentation in our case was atypical due to absence of small joint polyarthritis and other common symptoms of RA. In difficult cases, extensive workup including laboratory tests, electrocardiography, echocardiography and imaging studies can aid in narrowing the causes of pericardial effusion. This case demonstrates that pericardial effusion could be an early presenting feature of RA, even in the absence of more common symptoms, and should be considered in differential diagnosis.

Clinical significance of serum anti-CCP antibody and TNF-α expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis / 重庆医学

Objective To investigate the value of serum anti-CCP antibody and TNF-α in the diagnosis and therapeutic effect evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods One hundred and sixty-eight RA patients in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2015 were selected and included 86 cases of active stage(active group)and 80 cases of remission stage(remission group).Other 80 outpatient healthy controls served as the control group.The levels of RF,anti-CCP antibody and TNF-α in the active group,remission group and control group were measured by using the immunoadsorption and ELISA.Then the detection results were analyzed.Results The serum anti-CCP antibody and TNF-α levels in the active group and remission group were higher than those in the control group,moreover the serum anti-CCP antibody and TNF-α levels in the active group were significantly higher than those in the remission group,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Comparing the RA patients with the control group,the sensitivity and specificity of combined detection of anti-CCP antibody and TNF-α was 73.8％ and 97.5％,which were higher than those of other 2-index combined detection,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The serum TNF-α level was positively correlated with the DAS28 score(P＜0.01).Conclusion The combined detection of serum anti-CCP antibody and TNF-α has an important clinical value for the RA diagnosis and disease condition monitoring.

Diagnostic Value and Significance of the HLA-DR53,Anti-Sa and Anti-CCP Antibody Factors Combination in Rheumatoid Arthritis / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the value of human leucocyte antigen-DR53 (HLA-DR53),anti-Sa antibody and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(anti-CCP) factors combination in rheumatoid arthritis.Methods 170 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 50 healthy individuals in the hospital were chosen.The levels of HLA-DR53 by PCR-SSP,the levels of anti-Sa and anti-CCP by ELISA,compared their diagnostic value by consistency analysis and joint detection analysis.Results The sensibility of anti-Sa,HLA-DR53 and anti-CCP in RA were 44.07％ (P =0.00,x2 =165.214),68.65 ％ (P =0.00,x2 =9.837) and 79.45 ％ (P=0.00,x2=48.028).Consistency analysis in RA,HLA DR53,anti-CCP and anti-Sa highly consistent,OR were 3.94,38.6 and 184.52.The sensitivity and Youden index of anti-CCP were the highest.The sensitivity of anti Sa and anti-CCP parallelled was 88.51 ％.The sensitivity of HLA-DR53 and anti-CCP parallelled was 93.56％,and the spe cificity of anti-Sa and anti-CCP of RA were 100％.Conclusion There is a certain correlation between HLA-DR53,anti-Sa and anti-CCP antibody,which are related risk factors of RA,co-detection will improve the diagnosis of RA.

Application of combined detection of AKA antibody,anti-CCP antibody,anti-RA33antibody,RF and ESR in rheumatoid arthritis / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the application value of combined detection of antikeratin (AKA) antibody,anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide(anti-CCP) antibody,anti-RA33 antibody,RF and ESR in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods One hundred cases of RA and 60 cases of suspected RA in our hospital from June 2014 to May 2015 were collected.One hundred and twenty cases of non-RA other autoimmune diseases served as the control group.The indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to detect anti-KA antibody,anti-CCP antibody and anti-RA33 antibody were detected by using ELISA.The rate scatter turbid assay was used to detect RF.The Westergren method was used to detect ESR.The diagnostic performance of each diagnostic indicator was evaluated.Results The detection rates of anti-KA antibody,anti-CCP antibody,anti-RA33 antibody,RF and ESR in the RA group were in turn 64%,75%,44%,84% and 51% respectively,the detection rate(sensitivity) of 5-indicator parallel detection were 97%, the specificity of 5-indicator series detection was 89.2%;in the suspected RA group,the detection rates of 5-indicator were in turn 16.7%, 31.7%,13.3%,20%,15% respectively,which in the control group were in turn 0.8%,2.5%,1.7%,0.8% and 5.8% respectively.The detection rates of 5-indicator in the RA group was significantly higher than that in the suspected RA group,showing extremely significant difference (P<0.001),the detection rate of 5-indicator had extremely significant difference between the suspected RA group and control group (P<0.001),the sensitivity of five-indicator parallel detection was 97%,which was significantly higher than that of single indicator detection (P<0.05),the detection specificity of 5-indicator series detection was up to 100%,which was also significantly higher than that of single indicator detection (P<0.05),the missed diagnosis rate of parallel detection was minimal,while the negative predictive value was highest,the misdiagnosis rate of series detection was lowest,the positive predictive value was highest,the Youden index of parallel detection was largest.Conclusion The single detection of anti-CCP antibody and RF have good sensitivity and specificity, but 5-indicator combined detection has higher sensitivity and specificity,which can better reduce the missed diagnosis rate and misdiagnosis rate,can greatly improve the efficiency of diagnosis,and has an important clinical significance for the early diagnosis of RA.

Effects of different types of autoantibodies on bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate any potential and independent demographic and serologic risk factors contributing to bone destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) . Methods A total of 445 patients with RA were recruited in this study. Three autoantibodies including rheumatoid factor ( RF) , anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody ( anti-CCP antibody) and anti-citrullinated alpha-enolase peptide 1 antibody ( anti-CEP-1 antibody) were quantified by using specific ELISA kits. The hand radiographs of all subjects were graded by using the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score ( Sharp score) . The potential and in-dependent risk factors were assessed by using univariate linear regression analyses and the stepwise multiple regression analysis, respectively. Results Based upon the univariate regression analyses, 7 covariates were identified as the potential risk factors for bone destruction in patients with RA, which were female (β=0. 100, P=0. 035), longer disease duration (β=0. 498, P=3. 26×10-29), RF (β=0. 096, P=0. 042), younger age at onset (β=-0. 312, P=1. 60 × 10-11 ), anti-CCP antibody positive (β=0. 202, P=1.74×10-5), anti-CEP-1 antibody positive (β=0.148, P=0.017) and positive for either anti-CCP or anti-CEP-1 antibodies (β=0. 157, P=1. 42×10-3). However, smoking (β=-0. 121, P=0. 018) were identi-fied as the potential protective factors. The multiple regression analysis indicated that the longer disease du-ration (P=2. 24×10-15) and anti-CCP antibody positive (P=0. 012) were independent risk factors for bone destruction. Conclusion Female, longer disease duration, younger age at onset, RF, anti-CCP and anti-CEP-1antibodies are potential risk factors for bone damage in patients with RA. Moreover, longer disease du-ration and anti-CCP antibody are two independent risk factors contributing to bone destruction in RA.

Detection of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disorder and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP Ab) is regarded as a serological marker for diagnosing early and late RA. In the present study, we aimed to determine the levels of anti-CCP Ab in serum, synovial tissue (ST) and synovial fluid (SF) in RA patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). 23 patients were included. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP Ab in serum were detected prior to surgery and then at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after TKA. Synovial samples were obtained by knee arthroscopy and used for anti-CCP detection. One month after TKA, anti-CCP levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in RA patients. However, their levels were not significantly different between pre-surgery and 1 year post-surgery (P > 0.05). Furthermore, anti-CCP levels in ST were much higher than in serum. These findings suggest that RA patients should continue antirheumatic therapy after TKA. ST is the preferred place for the synthesis of anti-CCP Ab.

THE CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTI-CCP ANTIBODY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMA-TOID ARTHRITIS / 现代医院

Objective To investigate the clinical application value of Anti -CCP antibody ( CCP) levels in patients with in rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) .Methods 132 patients with rheumatoid arthritis , 42 patients of other categories of connective tissue dis-ease, 40 health cases were collected as the research object.The anti-CCP antibody titers were detected in sera of three patients, and the anti CCP antibody in rheumatoid arthritis in the diagnostic process was calculated .Anti -CCP antibody titers were detected in three group patients, and the specific of anti CCP antibody in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was counted .Results Anti-CCP an-tibody has high specificity for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis , and was correlated with clinical symptoms in patients with rheuma-toid arthritis.Combination detection of anti -CCP antibody and C reaction protein can improve the diagnostic specificity , and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusion The specificity of anti-CCP antibody in diagnosis of rheumatoid ar-thritis is higher and its specificity is higher than that of RF .The combined detection of anti -CCP antibody and RF both can improve the diagnostic specificity of rheumatoid arthritis , and anti-CCP antibodies are related with the degree of clinical symptoms .

Comparison Analysis of the Results of Serum Anti CCP Antibody in Patients with RA by Two Methods / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To compare diagnosis value and the clinical application of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and the immune turbidimetric method detecting serum anti cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)antibody in patients with RA.Methods Collected fresh serum specimen of 267 inpatients with RA in Rrheumatism Department of Xi’an Institu-te of Rheumatism from December 2014 to February 2015,and fresh serum specimen of 50 healthy blood donors from the Blood Center of Shaanxi Province respectively.Anti CCP antibody was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)method and the latex immunoturbidimetry assay.Evaluated the correlation of the results and clinical application to RA diagnosis.Results Sensitivity,specificity and diagnostic consistency of ELISA and latex immunoturbidimetry assay were 77.3%,86.8%,94.3% and 76.2%,80.2%,77.9% respectively.Compared two kinds of methods,the value of Kappa was 0.756,for having consistency.Throughχ2 test (χ2 =1.85,P >0.05),there was no significant difference between two meth-ods.Area of ELISA and lateximmunoturbidimetry under the ROC curve were 0.876 and 0.832 respectively.Conclusion De-tection of serum anti CCP antibody has diagnostic value in RA patients.The ELISA method and the latex immunoturbidime-try assay for detection of anti CCP antibodies had consistency.Two methods had no statistical difference,and the latex turbi-dimetric method is suitable for grassroots medical institutions.

Correlation Research on Mongolian Medicine Syndrome Types and Rheumatoid Arthritis Related Indexes / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This article was aimed to study the correlation between Mongolian medicine syndrome types of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and indexes such as RF, ESR, CRP and anti-CCP antibody. Clinical epidemiology inquisition was used in this study. The Mongolian medicine syndrome types of 53 RA cases, which included Qi-Su-Xie-Ri type, Ba-Da-Gan-He-Yi type and Xie-Ri-Wu-Su type, were differentiated. Unified survey scale was designed. Indexes such as RF, CRP, ESR and anti-CCP antibody were detected. Data was recorded in details and statistical analysis was made. The results showed that compared with the Qi-Su-Xie-Ri type group, there were statistical significance on RF, ESR, CRP and anti-CCP antibody between the other two groups (P< 0.01). The order of RF, CRP and anti-CCP antibody from the highest to the lowest was Qi-Su-Xie-Ri type, Ba-Da-Gan-He-Yi type, and Xie-Ri-Wu-Su type. The order of ESR from the fastest to the slowest was Qi-Su-Xie-Ri type, Xie-Ri-Wu-Su type, and Ba-Da-Gan-He-Y i type. It was concluded that among Mongolian medicine syndrome types, levels of RF, ESR, CRP and anti-CCP antibody of Qi-Su-Xie-Ri type were the highest, which belonged to the active RA phase. Levels of the Ba-Da-Gan-He-Y i type and Xie-Ri-W u-Su type were relatively low, which belonged to the early, stable, or chronic RA phase.

Anti-CCP antibody in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis: Does it predict adverse cardiovascular profile?

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular (CV) events that accounts for a significant proportion of mortality among these patients. Anti-CCP antibodies are associated with higher frequency of extra-articular manifestations and poorer outcomes in RA. AIMS: To determine the role of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody as an independent risk factor for developing CV complications as documented by carotid intima medial thickness and abnormal echocardiography in established RA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients of RA having disease duration of at least 3 years participated in this hospital-based, cross-sectional, and observational study. Forty patients were anti-CCP antibody positive. Patients of established RA having known CV risk factors, known heart disease, or family history of premature ischemic heart disease were excluded. RESULTS: Anti-CCP positive group had early morning stiffness, tender and swollen joint count, and c-reactive protein (CRP) level significantly higher than those in anti-CCP negative group. Average intima-medial thicknesses of common carotid arteries were also significantly higher among anti-CCP positive group (P = 0.029) and were positively correlated with patients' age and disease duration. Lower left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were more commonly dispersed among the anti-CCP positive patients with P values of 0.01 and 0.034, respectively. Mild pericardial thickening was documented among 12.5% patients of anti-CCP positive group, while none of the anti-CCP negative patients had similar findings in echocardiography. CONCLUSION: This study stressed on the important role of anti-CCP antibody in myocardial dysfunction due to inflammation in RA patients. Both atherosclerotic vascular involvement and cardiac abnormalities including pericardial, myocardial, and endocardial involvements were higher among anti-CCP positive RA patients. Hence, patients with high titer of anti-CCP antibody associated with prolonged disease duration and increased disease activity should be evaluated for CV morbidity more meticulously.