Do not request the dosage of anti-CCP antibodies (cyclic citrullinated peptide) simply based on the presence of arthralgia.

Type of practice

Laboratory tests

Age

Adult

Topic Area

Rheumatology

On the basis of the simple presence of arthralgia, advanced diagnostic investigations are not proposed that could easily be inappropriate, and that mainly have a prognostic significance for a correct rheumatological clinical evaluation as a function of early aggressive therapy. Therefore, the request of these anti-CCP antibodies should be carried out only in the case of rheumatological evaluation which induces the prescription.

Sources

1. Kuru O, Bilgici A, Birinci A, Ulusoy H, Durupinar B. Prognostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Bratisl Lek Listy 2009; 110(10): 650.
2. van Jaarsveld CH, ter Borg EJ, Jacobs JW, Schellekens GA, Gmelig-Meyling FH, van Booma-Frankfort C, de Jong BA, van Venrooij WJ, Bijlsma JW. The prognostic value of the antiperinuclear factor, anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor in early rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1999 Nov-Dec; 17(6): 689-97.
3. D. Aletaha and S.Blüm. Therapeutic implications of autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis RMD Open. 2016 May 17; 2(1): e000009. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2014-000009. eCollection 2016.

Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.