hi all, just a quick question. what does anti-ccp positive mean

[jaqi1]

[Gail-NRAS]

Hi Jaqi1

Here is some information taken from the NRAS website about the CCP Test.

CCP Test

I have heard about a CCP test, can you tell me a bit more about it? - Taken from NRAS magazine, Autumn 2010 - A cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (CCP) test may be ordered along with, or following, a Rheumatoid factor (RF) test to help diagnose Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when a patient has joint inflammation and/or undiagnosed or undifferentiated inflammatory polyarthritis (symptoms may suggest but do not yet meet the criteria of RA) and the doctor suspects RA. - - As a rule, test results on their own, outside the context of clinical symptoms and signs, cannot be assessed. Nonetheless, if a patient is positive for both CCP and RF, it is very likely that they have RA. If a patient is positive for CCP but not RF and clinical signs suggest RA, then it is likely that they have early RA or that they will develop RA in the future. - - If a patient is negative for CCP but has a positive RF, then the clinical symptoms and signs are more vital in determining whether a patient has RA versus some other inflammatory condition. Remember that RF, particularly weak RF results, can be found in patients with infections, and in the elderly. - - If a patient is negative for both CCP and RF, then it is less likely that they have RA. It must be emphasised, however, that RA is a clinical diagnosis based on patient’s symptoms, examination, and radiology, and may be made in the absence of positive autoantibodies. - - Ref Lab Tests Online – labtestsonline.org.uk

I hope this is helpful

Best wishes

Gail