![]() ![]() In the past, seropositive arthritis used to be characterized by levels of another type of antibody, known as rheumatoid factor. In fact, if your doctor suspects that you have rheumatoid arthritis and you test positive for anti-CCPs, then you more than likely have a definite diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. These antibodies can be very specific to a diagnosis of arthritis as their presence actually precedes the development of arthritis by about five to 10 years. These antibodies are found in about 60 to 80 percent of people that are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. These can also be called anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs). ![]() Patients with seropositive arthritis have antibodies in their blood called anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCPs). This has led to establishment of two types of arthritis: seropositive and seronegative arthritis. However, not all patients with arthritis will have these antibodies. Unfortunately, in the case of patients with autoimmune disease, their antibodies start to attack to their own body instead. Their primary goal is to recognize and protect us from foreign pathogens in our body. As antibodies are often present in the blood of patients before they present with any symptoms, antibodies can serve as reliable biomarkers for early detection of the disease.Īntibodies are proteins that are produced by cells of the immune system. Therefore, there is a need for biomarkers that are present early on in the disease course that can indicate with sensitivity and specificity whether a patient has rheumatoid arthritis. With the presence of new drugs that are able to prevent disease progression, it is becoming more and more vital to diagnose the condition early on so that aggressive treatment can be started as quickly as possible. Fortunately, research in this area has significantly improved in the past few decades and new innovation has led to the discovery of drugs such as methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors that have significantly improved disease outcomes. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with pain and disability, as well as a reduction in life expectancy. ![]()
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