What can we learn from the presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus?
GROUND: Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies have proved to be a specific marker for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the antibodies can also be detected in other rheumatic diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent studies have shown anti-CCP antibodies are associated with erosive arthritis in SLE patients. Since erosive arthritis is not common in SLE and many patients with non-erosive arthritis also have anti-CCP antibodies, the clinical significance of anti-CCP antibodies in SLE needs to be further studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of anti-CCP antibodies in Chinese SLE patients. METHODS: Serum samples from 138 SLE patients were examined for anti-CCP with the second generation anti-CCP detection kit. The associations of anti-CCP with clinical and laboratory features, especially arthritis, in such SLE patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of anti-CCP was 13.8% (19/138) in Ch
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- What can we learn from the presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus?
