Diagnostic Value of Anti–Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide and Rheumatoid Factor Latex Agglutination in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Abstract

The main goal of this study was to assess the additional diagnostic and clinical value of the anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide IgG antibodies (anti-CCP) compared with the commonly used rheumatoid factor latex agglutination test (RF) for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) . This study was carried out at Omdurman Military Hospital during the period from May to September , 2012 , on a total of hundred individuals , fifty (n=50) of them were RA- positive patients and fifty (n=50) apparently healthy persons (RA-negative) as control group . The results of this study revealed that anti-CCP test had fairly high specificity (98 % ) compared to (94 %) obtained by conventional RF test (P value 0.00) . In addition , while RF test showed 44 % sensitivity , anti –CCP test revealed 70% sensitivity (P value 0.00) , sensitivity and specificity of both tests looks significant . Obviously , this finding supported the fact that the high specifity and sensitivity of anti-CCP IgG is particularly useful in RF-negative patients . Anti-CCP antibodies are more specific for diagnosing RA . In Sudanese patients with RA , anti-CCP test exhibit a better diagnostic value than RF test .