Diagnostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in Greek patients with rheumatoid arthritis
2007

Diagnostic Value of Anti-CCP Antibodies in Greek Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sample size: 155 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Alexiou Ioannis, Germenis Anastasios, Ziogas Athanasios, Theodoridou Katerina, Sakkas Lazaros I

Primary Institution: Thessaly University School of Medicine and Hospital

Hypothesis

The study assesses the diagnostic value of anti-CCP antibodies in Greek patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusion

Anti-CCP2 antibodies exhibit a better diagnostic value than RF and correlate with radiological joint damage in Greek patients with RA.

Supporting Evidence

  • Anti-CCP antibodies had a sensitivity of 63.2% and specificity of 95.0% for RA.
  • The presence of both anti-CCP antibodies and RF increased specificity to 98.2%.
  • Anti-CCP antibodies were positive in 34.9% of RF-negative RA patients.
  • There was a correlation between anti-CCP antibodies and radiographic joint damage.

Takeaway

Doctors can use a blood test for anti-CCP antibodies to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis in Greek patients, especially when other tests are negative.

Methodology

The study used an ELISA kit to test anti-CCP antibodies in serum samples from patients with RA and compared results with rheumatoid factor.

Limitations

The study is cross-sectional and does not follow patients over time to assess long-term significance.

Participant Demographics

155 Greek patients with RA (76% women, mean age 60.3 years).

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI of 0.87 to 0.93

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2474-8-37

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