The anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide test is an extremely specific blood test for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, and it can also be used to predict the likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis, even before symptoms of this arthritis are observed, rheumatoid arthritis is usually diagnosed based on symptoms consistent with this type of arthritis, as well as anti-CCP tests and blood test results for rheumatoid factor, another less specific blood marker for RA.
RA is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system becomes confused and starts attacking the body inward. One of the main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is joint swelling and pain. Inflammation in the body produces arginine, an amino acid, and people with rheumatoid arthritis develop antibodies against these citrulline amino acid chains, called anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. Anti-CCP tests Blood tests to detect the presence of these antibodies There are several types of blood tests that can be done before diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.
This detection method has a lot of value. First, when RA presents symptoms, anti-CCP tests can confirm the diagnosis. Second, it was able to detect anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in human blood before symptoms appeared. Third, the presence of high concentrations of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in the blood prior to the onset of symptoms strongly suggests a more aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis. This information could allow treatment to begin earlier, perhaps avoiding joint damage, and help rheumatologists determine the intensity of treatment for the condition.
The diagnosis of rheumatoid factor relies heavily on the detection of rheumatoid factor in the blood. Rheumatoid factor is sometimes negative in people with RA and sometimes positive in people who do not have rheumatoid arthritis or who have never developed this type of arthritis. Diagnosis of RA is usually based on symptoms, as well as blood test results from RF and anti-CCP tests. If symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are observed, it can sometimes take several months to confirm the diagnosis of RA with positive RF and anti-CCP blood tests. When the patient is positive for RF and negative for anti-CCP, the doctor will generally request further examinations and make a judgment based on the test results, symptoms and severity. If the anti-CCP test is positive, the RF test is negative, and symptoms are present, RA is diagnosed. When the anti-CCP test is positive, the RF test is negative, and no symptoms are present, it is assumed that RA is likely to develop in the future. If both blood tests are negative but symptoms of RA are present, then look for another cause of the symptoms and delay or forgo the diagnosis of RA. The anti-CCP test is a special blood test for rheumatoid arthritis.
