Anti Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies (Anti CCP) (Elisa) Test

Anti-CCP is an autoantibody produced by the patient’s immune system that attacks the body. These attacks can produce inflammatory symptoms most commonly experienced in rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-CCPs can also exist in a patient for years before they ever develop clinical rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Anti-CCP positive testing is also used to help doctors deliver a prognosis because many anti-CCP positive patients experience severe rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The specific cause of developing anti-CCP antibodies in patients is unknown although it is thought to be a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Some researchers also say that there is a strong connection between smoking and rheumatoid arthritis.

A patient doesn’t need any pre-preparation before test. There is no need of doing any fasting. It is a form of blood test in which blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm. Levels of anti-CCP can be detected in a patient through a blood test. A positive anti-CCP test result can be used in conjunction with other blood test, imaging tests, and physical examinations to reach a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. Before start of test doctors will perform a physical examination to look for clear clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

If patient test positive for anti-CCP it doesn’t immediately lead to rheumatoid arthritis. A patient must also exhibit clear clinical symptoms that are consistent with rheumatoid arthritis. These symptoms must also occur for more than six consecutive weeks. Sometimes Patients who display symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis but test negative for anti-CCP and in some cases positive anti-CCP tests may also indicate the possibility of other conditions besides rheumatoid arthritis. It’s good to identify symptoms earlier and diagnose it so that targeted treatment can begin. Early detection can help patients to maintain their quality of life and prevent the severe progression of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Anti-CCP is a blood test. A blood sample is drawn from the patient and analysed in a lab. If the sample finds the presence of anti-CCP at a certain level, the result is positive. Sometimes level of Anti-CCP could be low in certain patients but re-testing is beneficial as lab reports may be wrong due to some cause. Patients who test positive for anti-CCP could potentially experience a more aggressive set of symptoms. Frequent flare-ups and limited remission periods can be expected in anti-CCP positive rheumatoid arthritis patients. Anti-inflammatory home remedies can act as its diagnosis.