Clinical significance of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Background

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP Abs) are considered to be specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but there are few data on anti-CCP Abs and its relationship with the disease activity in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The aim of this study was to explore the sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP Abs in JRA.

Materials and methods

Serum samples obtained from 37 JRA patients (33 girls and 4 boys, with a mean age of 12.31 ± 3.29 years) and 20 healthy controls (matched for age and sex ratio with JRA patients) were assayed for anti-CCP Abs using ELISA method. The relationship between anti-CCP Abs and disease activity were also analyzed.

Results

Prevalence of anti-CCP Abs was 8.1% (3/37) in JRA patients. In 20 normal subjects, no one was found anti-CCP Abs positive. The sensitivity of anti-CCP Abs was 8.1%, the specificity was 100%. Disease activity score (DAS28) showed no significant difference between anti-CCP Abs-positive group and anti-CCP Abs-negative group.

Conclusion

Prevalence of anti-CCP Abs was very low in patients with JIA. It was not very helpful for diagnosis of JIA and estimating its disease activity. Therefore it is not necessary for anti-CCP Abs be tested routinely in patients with JIA.