The Association of Anti-CCP Positivity with Extra-Articular Manifestations in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Positivity and Extra-Articular Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the joints. Objective: To examine association between anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and extra-articular manifestation of Rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study in the Department of Rheumatology outpatient Khyber Teaching Hospital in Peshawar from 13^th April 2023 to 13th September 2023. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis according to ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria at the Rheumatology outpatient department of Khyber teaching hospital in Peshawar from 13^th April 2023 to 13th September 2023. Sampling technique was non probability consecutive. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Our study involved 100 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Majority of the patients were female (90%) with overall mean age was 42.3 ± 10.06 years. The average duration of the disease was 5.9 years, with a mean RA disease activity score of 2.8. Extra-articular manifestations were observed in 84% of the patients, encompassing various symptoms such as anemia, subcutaneous nodules, episcleritis, and interstitial lung disease. Most patients (94%) tested positive for Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor, while 84% tested positive for anti-CCP antibodies. Our analysis revealed significant associations between the presence of extra-articular manifestations and factors such gender distribution, disease activity score and anti-CCP antibody positivity while no significance was noted for factors such as age, Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor and duration of disease. Conclusions: Our study concludes that anti-CCP was positively associated with the presence of extra-articular manifestation of Rheumatoid Arthritis.