Anti Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody (Anti CCP) Test

The Anti-CCP antibody test is a blood test that ascertains the presence of antibodies directed against the cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) in the body. The CCP antibodies are present in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis. The Anti-CCP antibody test is highly accurate and can diagnose rheumatoid arthritis at an early stage, sometimes even years before the development of any signs or symptoms.

Anti-CCP antibodies are a type of autoantibody. To understand what autoantibodies are, knowing antibodies is essential. Antibodies protect the human body from different diseases. They do that by fighting external forces like bacteria and viruses. Autoantibodies are made by our immune system and are protein in nature. Autoantibodies can cause disease by attacking the healthy cells of the body by mistake.

The CCP antibodies attack the healthy tissues in the joints. If CCP antibodies are present in the blood, it can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive, autoimmune disorder that causes stiffness, pain and swelling in the joints. More than 75% of people with rheumatoid arthritis test positive for CCP antibodies.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 0.92% of the adult population in India. The condition is more common in females than males. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent permanent disability. A positive Anti-CCP antibody test results in the diagnosis of the disease at an early stage and can predict its severity.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Anti-CCP antibody test procedure detects the presence of antibodies against CCP in the body. CCP stands for cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP). These antibodies are in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The Anti-CCP antibody test can diagnose rheumatoid arthritis at an early stage. It may also detect the disease years before the presence of any clinical signs or symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. It affects the lining of the joints causing stiffness and painful swelling.

Some early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are,

• Fatigue
• Morning stiffness in the small joints of hands and feet
• Joint pain
• Swelling (painful, warm, swollen joints generally affecting fingers, wrist, ankles, and knees)
• Weakness
• Muscle ache
• Loss of appetite

People experiencing any of the above symptoms are prescribed the Anti-CCP antibody test. Also, those with a family history of rheumatoid arthritis may be asked to perform the test.

It commonly affects people in the 40 to 60 years, age group. Women are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men. Hence, women above 40 years of age experiencing these symptoms are advised to undergo this test.

As the Anti-CCP antibody test is used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, it is not repeated in the early stage of the disease. However, the doctor may ask to repeat the test while the treatment is on. This repetition is to analyse the prognosis of the disease.

Before the Test

Generally, no special test preparation is required before an Anti-CCP antibody test. However, if this test is done in conjunction with another test, your physician may ask you to avoid certain food items. In order to get the most accurate results, it is necessary to consult a medical professional before taking the test.

During the Test

A phlebotomist will draw blood from a vein in your arm to collect a sample. Your experience will be something like this:

• The area where the needle will be inserted is cleaned with antiseptic lotion.
• A tourniquet band is tied around the arm to dilate the veins.
• A new syringe needle will be inserted into the vein to draw blood. This procedure may take a few seconds, during which you may feel a slight pain of needle pricking.
• Your blood sample will be stored in a small vial or test tube with your test details.

After the Test

Once the blood is collected:

• A sticking plaster is applied to the needle insertion site to prevent bleeding.
• There may be a slight soreness or lightheadedness in some cases, nothing to worry about. You may be asked to sit for a few minutes.
• Contact your doctor if there is bleeding, pain or rashes at the puncture site.

The Anti-CCP antibody test identifies cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in the blood. These antibodies produced by the immune system are of a specific type known as an autoantibody.

Most antibodies help the body fight diseases by identifying and destroying foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. However, autoantibodies can act unusually and may target and attack the body’s healthy cells and tissues.

Most patients having rheumatoid arthritis test positive for CCP antibodies. Although less common, CCP antibodies may be present in other autoimmune disorders like Sjögren’s syndrome and Lupus erythematosus. CCP antibodies can also be positive in patients with active tuberculosis (TB) and chronic lung disease.

The normal values and reference ranges of the test may vary from lab to lab. Please refer to the ranges mentioned in the report and consult a doctor to understand the interpretation of lab reports.

A negative result indicates that an insignificant amount of antibodies were found in the blood.

The meaning of the Anti-CCP antibody test results may depend on the results of a rheumatoid factor (RF) test as well as a physical exam.

If you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and if your results show:

• Positive CCP antibodies and positive Rheumatoid Factor (RF) - It means that you have rheumatoid arthritis.
• Positive CCP antibodies and negative RF - It means you are in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis or may develop it in the future.
• Negative CCP antibodies and negative RF - It means you are less likely to have rheumatoid arthritis.

The expert may need to conduct more tests to find out what is causing your symptoms.

The pricing for an Anti-CCP test fluctuates based on the location and the laboratory. Typically, the cost of an Anti-CCP test falls within the range of INR 779 to INR 1479. Here's a breakdown of the average expenses for an Anti-CCP test in various major cities across India: