RF and Anti-CCP Antibody Tests- A comparative study in the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is autoimmune disease associated with chronic inflammation of joints causing deformities and functional impairment. Diagnosis primarily depends on clinical manifestations because of lack of suitable diagnostic tests. Rheumatoid factor (RF) is an autoantibody specific for Fc portion of human IgG. RF has low specificity as high false positive results are common in general population. Anti CCP antibody is also useful marker to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis and included in one of the criteria of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) /European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification of RA. Thus the present study was planned to compare the diagnostic utility of RF and Anti CCP antibody test in Rheumatoid arthritis patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Aim & Objective: To compare the diagnostic utility of RF and Anti CCP antibody test in Rheumatoid arthritis patients. Material & Methods: A total of 72 samples were taken from clinically suspected RA patients over a period of 3 months. RF was determined by latex agglutination method (STAR DIAGNOSTICS) and Anti CCP antibody by ELISA (IMTEC ANTI CCP ANTIBODIES ELISA- GERMANY). The tests were performed as per manufacturer's instructions. Results & Discussion: Out of total 72 samples tested, 47(58.33%) were positive. Both RF and Anti CCP Antibody was positive in 9 cases. Only RF positivity was seen in 8 cases and only Anti CCP antibody was positive in 30 cases. In present study combination of Anti CCP antibody and Rheumatoid factor together have shown positive predictive value for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients which lack specific signs and symptoms related to diagnosis of RA Conclusion: Anti CCP antibody test and RF can be used concomitantly to diagnose Rheumatoid arthritis and can be used in clinical settings so that appropriate management can be initiated to decrease future morbidity.