The role of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in predicting progression of palindromic rheumatism to rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies at presentation is of prognostic value in patients with palindromic arthritis.

METHODS

Stored sera, taken around the time of presentation from patients with palindromic arthritis, where available, were assessed for anti-CCP antibodies, and results were correlated with subsequent clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine of 61 patients had progressed to rheumatoid arthritis after a mean followup of 5.4 years; 83% of these had had anti-CCP antibodies in their baseline sera.

CONCLUSION

The sensitivity/specificity and likelihood ratios for CCP antibodies were better than rheumatoid factor in predicting outcome.