Anti CCP Test -
An anti-CCP test is performed to detect anti-CCP antibodies or cyclic citrullinated peptides in the blood vessels. Anti-CCP antibodies are a type of autoantibodies produced by the body against citrullinated peptides (short chain proteins that contain the amino acid citrulline instead of arginine).
Citrulline is one of the non-essential amino acids that is made in the body from arginine by a process called citrullination. This changes the structure of the protein and the immune response to it.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the conversion of arginine to citrulline exceeds normal, causing pain and inflammation . The anti-CCP test shows this and the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
This test is also called CCP antibodies, anti-CCP, anticitrullinated peptide antibodies, and ACPA test.
Why is Anti CCP test done?
Anti CCP test is mainly used to detect Rheumatoid Arthritis.
This test is mainly done to detect rheumatoid arthritis. This can also be done in the following situations:
To find out the severity of the disease and the need for the right treatment.
If other RA (rheumatoid arthritis) tests have not given the desired results.
To find out the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis.
This test is usually done along with the rheumatoid factor test in people who have a history of inflammatory arthritis but have not yet been diagnosed. The anti-CCP test may also be done as a follow-up test if the RF test is negative but the symptoms point to RA.
Common signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are:
Pain and swelling in the joints of the arms and hands .
Pain in other joints of the body such as shoulders, neck, hips and knees .
stiffness in the joints in the morning
fever
fatigue
feeling unwell
Development of nodules on the skin, especially on the eyebrows.
Preparation before the test - preparation before the lab test
No special preparation is required for this test.
This test can be done at any time of the day and there is no need to fast for it. However, if you are taking any medicines and supplements, do inform the doctor about the same as it can affect the test results.
Do not take any multivitamins or dietary supplements that contain biotin (vitamin B7) within 8 hours before the test. Go for the test wearing half-sleeved clothes.
How is the test done:
A blood sample will be taken from a vein on the back of the arm or inside the elbow. In teenagers and children, a sharp instrument called a lancet can be used to penetrate the skin and draw blood. The blood will be drawn into a test strip, slide, or pipette.
After the test, light pressure will be applied at the needle site so that there is no bleeding and a bandage will be applied to prevent infection .
Lab Test Results :
The result may vary depending on the age, gender and general health history of the individual.
Some of the following are some of the ways that your Anti-CCP test result may show up:
Positive for both anti-CCP and RF: This may indicate rheumatoid arthritis. From this, the seriousness of the disease and how much the disease has increased can also be known.
Negative RF with positive anti-CCP or low level of both: This can be in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis or it can be a sign of risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis later.
Anti-CCP negative but RF positive: If the patient has rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory condition, the symptoms will need to be investigated.
Negative result for both anti-CCP and RF: This suggests seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, especially if symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are also present. Antibody titre may not be detected in such individuals and they may develop rheumatoid arthritis later.