The Relationship between the Levels of Anti Cyclic Citrullinated Protein Antibodies Type2 (ACPA2) and the Severity of Erosive Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease, characterized by autoimmunity. One of the most specific and important diagnostic and prognostic markers of RA are antibodies, Anti Cyclic Citrullinated Protein Antibodies (ACPA).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between ACPA (Anti-CCP) levels and radiological damage.

Methods: An observational Cross-sectional study included 54 patients fulfilling the ACR-EULAR 2010 criteria for RA, with minimum disease duration of 1 year. Radiographs were scored using a modified Sharp score (Van der Heijde modification of Sharp's score 1989). ACPA levels were determined using immunofluorescence assay.

Results: ACPA levels were strongly associated with radiographic severity and there was a significant relationship between ACPA levels and total Sharp score (p=0.0001).

Conclusion: This study concluded that ACPA is an independent severity factor for RA, and our data supports the association between ACPA and radiographic severity.