cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (Anti-CCP)

Anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) is an essential initial investigation in those patients suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is highly specific for RA unlike rheumatoid factor (RF) which also occurs in other autoimmune disorders, chronic infections and in elderly individuals. Anti-CCP has prognostic significance for disease severity, radiographic erosions and early recognition of RA. While anti-CCP is of higher sensitivity and specificity than RF, they are independently informative in significant subsets of patients.