Anti-CCP Antibody (Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody) Test

• CCP antibody test aids in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in early stages when symptoms may not be definitive.
• Higher levels of CCP antibodies may indicate a more severe and progressive form of RA, helping in prognosis and treatment planning.
• Helps differentiate RA from other autoimmune conditions that may present similar symptoms.
• Early detection through CCP antibody testing allows for prompt initiation of treatment, potentially slowing down disease progression and minimizing joint damage.
• Serial CCP antibody testing can help monitor disease activity and treatment response in patients with RA.

This test measures the presence of CCP antibodies in the blood of patients with or estimated to have rheumatoid arthritis.

During CCP antibody test blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

20 units/ml is considered the normal level of CCP antibodies. Test results above 20 units/ml are considered to be positive.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A positive CCP antibody test is highly specific for RA, meaning it's more likely to indicate RA than other conditions. If you have symptoms of RA like joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, a positive test result strengthens the possibility of RA.

• Early RA or Increased Risk: A positive CCP test result, especially with negative rheumatoid factor (another blood test for RA), might suggest you're in the early stages of RA or have an increased risk of developing it in the future.

• Other Conditions: While less common, positive CCP tests can occur with other inflammatory diseases like lupus or Sjogren's syndrome.

The CPP antibody test can also come positive in the case of the following diseases:

• Osteoarthritis
• Chronic liver disease
• SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Seronegative arthritis
• Sjogren's syndrome
• Systemic sclerosis

A blood sample is taken for the test, just like other tests. You may feel dizzy, lightheaded, or have soreness at the site of blood collection, however, there is nothing inherently dangerous about the test itself.

In addition to the CPP antibody test, the doctor may suggest the following tests as sometimes it’s difficult to detect the disease in its early stages:

• RF test
• X-ray of joints
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• C-reactive protein
• Antinuclear antibody
• Synovial fluid analysis

It is the most common form of arthritis in which the protective cartilage that surrounds the joints wears down or changes in structure.

Connective tissue disorders are a type of autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus, microscopic polyangiitis, Marfan syndrome, Churg-Strauss syndrome, polymyositis/dermatomyositis and Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA).

It’s a group of arthritis that shows similar symptoms to rheumatoid arthritis such as joint pains, swelling, and tenderness in the joints along with morning stiffness that lasts for almost an hour.

• CCP Antibody
• Anti-Citrulline Antibody
• Citrulline Antibody
• Anti-CCP Test
• ACPA
• Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide
• Citrullinated Antibody

People with the following symptoms should do the CCP Antibody Serum Test:

• Low-grade fever
• Joint, back, or muscle pain
• Stiffness of the joints, especially in the morning
• Fatigue
• Joint swelling, tenderness, or weakness
• Malaise
• Lumps or redness of the skin
• Bump on fingers
• Sensation of pins and needles
• Dry mouth
• Flare
• Physical deformity
• Swelling of hands