RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Easy and accurate diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis using anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 antibody, swollen joint count, and C-reactive protein/rheumatoid factor.
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 414
OP 420
VO 35
IS 3
A1 Takashi Yamane
A1 Akira Hashiramoto
A1 Yasushi Tanaka
A1 Ken Tsumiyama
A1 Yasushi Miura
A1 Kazuko Shiozawa
A1 Kazuo Chihara
A1 Shunichi Shiozawa
YR 2008
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/35/3/414.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: To determine an easy-to-use diagnostic criterion for early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may be useful for general physicians, using anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody. METHODS: We prospectively studied 435 patients who first visited the hospital with arthritic symptoms within 24 months, including 264 visitors within 6 months. The diagnosis was made on their first visit by examination and laboratory tests including anti-CCP antibodies, rheumatoid factor (RF) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and radiograph. RESULTS: The diagnostic specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of anti-CCP2 assay were 94.9% and 87.8%, respectively, and those of anti-CCP2 plus RF were 96.9% and 90.9% for the patients who first visited having morning stiffness, arthralgia, and/or joint swelling within 3 months from onset (n = 165). For the patients who first visited later, but within 24 months from onset (n = 260), the diagnostic specificity and PPV were extremely high, 98.7% and 95.5%, when anti-CCP2 assay was coevaluated with RF, CRP, and more than 3 swollen joints. Respective combinations of anti-CCP2 assay plus either 2 of 3 measures were also highly specific. CONCLUSION: A diagnostic criterion including anti-CCP2 assay in combination with RF, CRP, and/or swollen joints is less sensitive but highly specific, and accurately predicts future development of RA among those with arthritic symptoms who first consulted doctors within 2 years after onset. It should be highly useful for the general physician without special techniques or devices.