Abstract
Objective: To explore the sensitivity and specificity of sero-positivity to antibodies against modified citrullinated
vimentin antibodies (anti-MCV) in comparison with anti-CCP2-in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among Egyptians,
considering the possible correlation to demographic and disease related features in the study group.
Patients and methods: The study included forty patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients assessment
measures involved the disease activity score (DAS-28), visual analogue scale (VAS) and health assessment
questionnaire (HAQ). Thirty healthy subjects matched for age and sex served as a control group. Blood samples
were obtained from patients and controls for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP),
rheumatoid factor (RF). Anti-CCP2 andanti-MCV were determined using ELISA technique.
Results: Estimated serum levels of anti-CCP2 and anti-MCV were significantly higher in patients compared
to controls (p<0.001). There were no significant correlations between anti-MCV levels and age, disease duration,
duration of morning stiffness, number of swollen and tender joints, HAQ or ESR in patients with RA, while serum
levels correlates significantly with DAS28, VAS and CRP (p<0.05). Anti-CCP2 correlates significantly with DAS28,
VAS and CRP and ANA (p<0.05). Serum anti-MCV and anti-CCP2 were significantly correlated with each other
(r=0.483; p<0.001). Statistical analysis showed that anti-MCV had diagnostic specificity, sensitivity of 93.3%, 75.5%,
respectively, while anti-CCP2 specificity, sensitivity of 98.1%, 85%, respectively.
Conclusion: Serumanti-MCV as well as the anti-CCP-2 assay perform comparably well in the diagnosis of RA.
In the high-specificity range, however, the anti-CCP2 assay appears to be superior to theanti-MCV test.