Usefulness of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody and rheumatoid factor to detect rheumatoid arthritis in patients with systemic sclerosis

Abstract

The serum titre of anti-CCP Ab is higher in SSc-RA overlap patients than in SSc patients with or without arthralgia. The finding of high titres of anti-CCP Abs and the elevated levels combinatory with other RA-related Abs may help to define the diagnosis of SSc-RA overlap. MMP-3 might be a better marker to assess skin involvement rather than joint involvement in SSc patients.