Abstract
Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune rheumatic
disease with a chronic and progressive inflammatory disorder manifestations leading
to articular cartilage damage, and disability, and also renal involvement. It seems that
recruitment of tests based on high specific and sensitive serological immunobiomarkers
removes these mentioned gaps. Additionally, the results of laboratory tests, assist to reach an
accurate prognosis and real estimation of the patient’s clinical statue especially hospitalized
individuals in intensive care units.
Objectives: The aim of this study is assessment and titration of some autoantibodies as
anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-
CCP), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in RA patients in
comparison to patients with other forms of rheumatologic diseases.
Patients and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted from January to June 2012 in
Zanjan province on 100 patients with RA and 100 patients with other rheumatic disease that
were randomly selected. All necessary data of clinical history for the patients was extracted
from their medical records. After delivering antecubital venous blood (7 mL) to hematology
ward of laboratory, quantative ELISA test was performed for autoantibodies.
Results: Anti-MCV tests showed 72% positivity in RA group compared to 10% positivity in
other group of rheumatic diseases. There was a significant correlation between positivity of
anti-MCV and RA disease. Mean anti-MCV titer is 236.23 ± 2.319 U/mL in RA group and
28.75 ± 0.432 U/mL in other disease group. In this study anti-MCV antibodies had diagnostic
sensitivity of 81.7% (versus anti-CCP), diagnostic specificity of 72.22%, positive and negative
predictive value 93.05% and 46.42%, respectively.
Conclusion: According to results of this study, not only anti-MCV measurement but also
anti-CCP assist to early diagnosis of RA. Results of the recent study could not show definite
correlation between anti-MCV and disease activity. The result of this study may be helpful
for renal involvement in RA patients, whereas evaluation on this aspect of RA patients seems
essential.