COMPARISON OF RHEUMATOID FACTOR (RF) AND ANTI CYCLIC CITRULLINATED PEPTIDE (ANTI -CCP) ANTIBODIES IN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease associated with chronic inflammation of joints causing deformities and functional impairment. Rheumatoid factor (RF) is an autoantibody specific for the Fc portion of human IgG. RF has low specificity as high false positive results are common in the general population. Anti CCP (Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibody is also a useful marker to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis and included in one of the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) /European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification of RA. This study is done to compare the diagnostic utility of Anti CCP and RF test in RA patients. Aim & Objective: Comparison of rheumatoid factor (RF) and Anti cyclic citrullinated peptide (Anti -CCP) antibodies in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis- in a tertiary care hospital. Material &Methods: A total of 70 samples were taken from clinically suspected RA patients over a period of 6 months.RF and AntiCCP was checked in all patients Results &Discussion: Out of total 70 samples tested, 51 were seropositive with only Anti CCP positive were 37 (52%) and only RF positive were 6 (8.5%), whereas both Anti CCP and RF positive both positive were 8 (11.4%) Conclusion: Anti CCP antibody test and RF can be used mutually for early diagnose of Rheumatoid arthritis and suitable management can be initiated to decrease future morbidity.