Anti-CCP antibodies measured at disease onset help identify seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and predict radiological and functional outcome

Abstract

Objective. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies have been identified as highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies suggest an association with radiographic outcome. The aims of this study were to assess the diagnostic and prognostic utility of the second-generation anti-CCP2 test in a large cohort of early RA patients compared with connective tissue disease (CTD) controls.