A Comparative Assessment of the Diagnostic Value of Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies and Rheumatoid Factor in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: The present study was designed to compare the diagnostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Material and methods: The comparison of (60) sample with RA patients (41 females and 19 males), was done with control groups of (40) sample (25 females and 15 males). Serum levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies were determined by particle-enhanced (latex) Immunonephelometry on genius analyser (CO,Ltd.china) by analytical kits from Imtec-ccp-Antibodies and levels of rheumatoid factor were determined by turbidimetry on a latex-enhanced agglutination assay. Results:The results of this study showed a significant increase of Anti-CCP (p value=0.00021) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease than control groups, as well as significant increase was recorded with age. The present study also exposed a sensitivity of anti-cyclic citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP) was (68..33 %) for rheumatoid arthritis patients in comparison with (58.03%) for rheumatoid factor RF in same study groups, while the specificity of anti-CCP for RA disease (95.5%) with comparable specificity to the rheumatoid factors (92.5%). Conclusion: There are so many recommendations to include this powerful diagnostic tool in the criteria for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).