Diagnostic Biomarkers in Rheumatoid arthritis – An update

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prototype immune-mediated inflammatory disease, characterised by a symmetric polyarthritis usually involving the small joints of the hands and feet. RA is the commonest and the most important in socioeconomic terms, affecting 0.8 percent of the adult population worldwide. Although RF is the gold standard, more sensitive and specific autoantibodies have been under research in recent years. The new 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria include the presence of anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) as one of the criteria to be used in determining whether or not a patient should be diagnosed as having RA. The guidelines also mention that ACPAs are tested as anti-CCP. The combined application of two assays (RF and anti CCP/ or anti CCP and anti MCV) can improve the laboratory diagnostics of RA.

Author(s): Harpreet Kaur and Jagmohan Singh

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article