Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) Antibody (IgG)

Alternate Test Name: ACPA 

Description: Anti-CCP is a test that measure the amount of cyclic citrullinated peptide in the blood. Anti-CCP is an autobody and it can be used to determine the if a person has Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Also Known As: ACPA, Anti-CCP, Anti-citrulline Antibody, Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide, Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) Antibody IgG, CCP, CCP Antibody, Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) IgG, Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody, Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide CCP Antibody IgG.

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When is a Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide IgG Antibody test ordered?

When someone displays indications and symptoms that could be attributable to previously undiagnosed inflammatory arthritis or has been diagnosed with undifferentiated arthritis, a CCP antibody test is usually ordered along with an RF test. When clinical indications and symptoms lead a health practitioner to suspect RA, it may be ordered as a follow-up test following a negative RF test. In most cases, RA affects many joints in a symmetrical pattern. The following are possible signs and symptoms:

What does a Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide IgG Antibody blood test check for?

Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies are autoantibodies directed against cyclic citrullinated peptides produced by the immune system. Anti-CCP antibodies are detected and measured in the blood with this test.

Citrulline is created in the body as a byproduct of the amino acid arginine metabolism. This conversion may occur at a faster rate in joints with rheumatoid arthritis. Citrulline alters the structure of proteins, triggering an immunological response that results in the production of autoantibodies against joint proteins. The CCP antibody test aids in the diagnosis of RA and can help identify persons with the disease's more quickly erosive type.

RA is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that affects the hands, foot, and other joints throughout the body, causing inflammation, discomfort, stiffness, and degenerative changes. It can strike anyone at any age, but it commonly strikes between the ages of 40 and 60, with women accounting for roughly 75 percent of those affected. The prognosis and course of RA are both unpredictable. It could take a long time to develop and progress, or it could happen quickly. In some people, it may go into remission, and in others, it may completely disappear. If left untreated, RA can impair a person's life expectancy and render many people unable to work within a few years.

There are a number of treatments available to help reduce the difficulties of RA, but they all hinge on getting a proper diagnosis and starting treatment before severe joint damage occurs. The basic blood test for detecting RA and distinguishing it from other types of arthritis and other inflammatory processes has been rheumatoid factor. However, RF's sensitivity and specificity aren't optimal; it can be negative in persons with RA symptoms but positive in those who don't. According to studies, the CCP antibody test has a sensitivity and specificity that is comparable to or better than RF, and it is more likely to be positive in patients with early RA.

CCP antibody testing, along with RF, is included in the American College of Rheumatology's (ACR) 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. CCP antibodies can be found in roughly 50-60% of persons with early RA, as early as 3-6 months following the onset of symptoms, according to the ACR. Early detection and diagnosis of RA allows healthcare practitioners to start aggressive treatment early on, reducing complications and tissue damage.

Lab tests often ordered with a Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide IgG Antibody test:

Conditions where a Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide IgG Antibody test is recommended:

How does my health care provider use a Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide IgG Antibody test?

To help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis and assess the severity and likely course of the disease, a cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody test may be ordered in conjunction with or after a rheumatoid factor test. Inflammatory indicators such as ESR and C-reactive protein may also be tested at this time.

Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies are autoantibodies directed against cyclic citrullinated peptides produced by the immune system.

CCP antibody testing may also be conducted to assess the likelihood of RA developing in persons with undifferentiated arthritis, or those who have symptoms that imply RA but do not yet fulfill the American College of Rheumatology's criteria. According to the American College of Rheumatology, roughly 95% of persons with a positive CCP antibody will develop RA in the future. It is critical to discover RA early in order to make informed treatment recommendations.

What do my CCP Antibody test results mean?

When persons with arthritis symptoms test positive for both CCP antibody and RF, they almost certainly have RA and are at risk of developing a more rapidly progressing and severe version of the illness. When patients show clinical indications of RA and are positive for CCP antibody but not RF, or have low levels of both, it is likely that they have early RA or will develop RA in the future.

When people have a positive RF but no CCP antibody, clinical signs and symptoms are more important in evaluating whether they have RA or another inflammatory illness. It is less likely that someone gets RA if they are negative for both CCP antibody and RF. However, it should be noted that RA is a clinical diagnosis that can be made even if autoantibody testing are negative.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.