Did you know that over 1.7 crore people worldwide are living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? Shockingly, about 70% of them are and 55% are older than 55 years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). For those who don't know, RA is a long-term autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues.
While there is no cure for RA, early diagnosis is crucial to prevent disease progression, reduce joint damage, and improve quality of life. Timely detection can be achieved through various screening methods, including the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody test, which is commonly used to identify RA in its early stages.
Also Read: The Hidden Link: Experts Explain Impact Of Stress On Rheumatoid Arthritis
Role Of Anti-CCP Test In Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis![]()
The anti-CCP test helps detect anti-CCP antibodies, which are proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly target the body’s own tissues, particularly proteins modified by citrullination. They are associated with RA, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints.
According to Dr Ajay Shah, Managing Director of Neuberg Ajay Shah Laboratory, the presence of anti-CCP antibodies in the blood is a key marker for RA and can help confirm the diagnosis.
“These antibodies are highly specific to RA and are often present in patients even before the onset of symptoms, making them a valuable tool in early diagnosis,” he tells OnlyMyHealth.
Explaining the function of the test, Dr Shah says, “Patients with elevated anti-CCP levels tend to experience more aggressive joint damage and faster progression of the disease. These high levels can predict the likelihood of erosive joint disease, which can lead to long-term disability if not managed properly. Therefore, knowing a patient’s anti-CCP levels helps physicians assess the severity and potential future course of the disease, allowing for early and more intensive intervention.”
How Does Anti-CCP Test Fare In Terms Of Accuracy?![]()
The anti-CCP test is highly accurate in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, with a specificity of around 95%, says Dr Shah, suggesting that if the test is positive, it is very likely that the person has RA. Its sensitivity, which measures how often the test correctly identifies those with the disease, is around 70-80%, meaning not all RA patients will test positive for anti-CCP antibodies, he adds.
According to a 2016 review published in the Official Publication of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, anti-CCP tests are more specific than rheumatoid factor, another commonly used marker, and have a positive likelihood ratio of around 14, indicating that a positive result significantly increases the probability of RA. However, it's important to note that a negative anti-CCP test does not rule out RA, as a significant portion of patients with RA may not have detectable levels of these antibodies, researchers noted.
Some of the key findings of the review include:
- Specificity: High specificity of around 95-96%, meaning a positive result is a strong indicator of RA.
- Sensitivity: 53-71% (a negative result doesn’t rule out RA)
- Prediction of joint erosion: Positive anti-CCP increases the risk of joint erosion
- Prevalence in RA Patients: 23% at early stage, up to 70% two years after diagnosis
- Comparison to rheumatoid factor: anti-CCP is more specific and reliable.
Dr Shah adds, “While RF can be found in other autoimmune diseases or even in healthy individuals, anti-CCP is more directly linked to RA, making it a more reliable marker for diagnosis.”
Furthermore, anti-CCP antibodies can appear in the blood earlier than RF, even before symptoms develop, enabling early detection and intervention. This early presence and higher specificity give Anti-CCP an advantage over other indicators in diagnosing RA.
Also Read: Does Running Cause Arthritis? Easy Ways To Prevent It
How Anti-CCP Levels Guide Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment![]()
Anti-CCP levels can help guide treatment options for RA.
"Patients with high anti-CCP levels are often at greater risk for rapid disease progression and joint damage. As a result, doctors may choose to initiate more aggressive treatment strategies early on, such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or biologic agents, to slow the disease’s progression and prevent long-term joint destruction," says Dr Shah.
"Monitoring anti-CCP levels over time can also help in evaluating treatment effectiveness and adjusting therapies as needed to better control the disease," he concludes.