Lab Med Online.  2013 Jan;3(1):29-33. 10.3343/lmo.2013.3.1.29.

A Preliminary Study for Applying Antiperinuclear Antibody Test to 2010 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Choi JM
• Kim TY

• KMID: 1845393
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3343/lmo.2013.3.1.29

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (ACR/EULAR criteria) include the rheumatoid factor (RF) test and the anti-citrullinated peptide/protein antibody (ACPA) test as serologic makers for rheumatoid arthritis. Antiperinuclear factor (APF) test, an originator of ACPA, is highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis and can be detected in RF or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) negative rheumatoid arthritis, but it is not included in the serologic criterion of ACR/EULAR criteria. In this study, we investigated the way for applying the APF test to ACR/EULAR criteria.
METHODS
We analyzed clinical symptoms and laboratory findings of 53 patients who were suspected having rheumatoid arthritis. All patients were negative for the RF and anti-CCP and positive for APF. We classified these patients into 4 groups according to the fluorescence intensity of APF test, and gave 1-4 points for APF positivity. The proportion of patients who scored 6 or greater in ACR/EULAR criteria in relation to APF scores was evaluated.
RESULTS
Median scores of ACR/EULAR criteria showed a tendency to increase as the level of fluorescence intensity of APF rises, but ACR/EULAR scores of 4 groups were not different significantly from each other (P>0.05). The proportion of patients who scored 6 or greater in ACR/EULAR criteria were 39.6% and 77.4%, when scores of APF positivity were 2 and 3 points, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
We think it is reasonable to include APF test in the ACPA of ACR/EULAR criteria and give 3 points for APF positivity, regardless of its fluorescence intensity.

Keyword

Antiperinuclear factor; Rheumatoid arthritis; 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Antinuclear
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Fluorescence
Humans
Rheumatic Diseases
Rheumatoid Factor
Antibodies, Antinuclear
Rheumatoid Factor

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