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Rheumatoid Arthritis

A Complete Portfolio for Early RA Diagnosis Powered by Anti-MCV.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder primarily affecting the synovial joints. It is characterized by persistent synovitis, leading to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, predominantly in the small joints of hands and feet. RA can also affect other organs, causing complications such as cardiovascular disease, lung involvement, and osteoporosis. Early diagnosis and intervention with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics are critical for managing symptoms and preventing long-term damage.

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Published: 11/29/2024 | Modified: 7/22/2026

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by immune-mediated inflammation of synovial joints, leading to significant impairment of joint structure and function. It most commonly presents as chronic inflammatory arthritis that begins with inflammation of the synovial membrane in affected joints. Over time, persistent inflammation can damage cartilage and bone, causing joint deformity and reduced mobility. As the disease progresses, it may also involve other organs and lead to long-term disability if not properly managed.

RA diagnostics have advanced from relying solely on Rheumatoid Factor (RF) to incorporating ACPA (anti-citrullinated protein antibodies) tests, including citrulline peptide (anti-CCP) and citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV), enabling more complete and precise diagnosis.

These improvements in the diagnostic tools are included in the ACR-EULAR classification criteria for RA, established in 2010 as a pillar for the correct management of patients affected by RA.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most common chronic autoimmune diseases, causing progressive joint inflammation, structural damage, and potential disability.

  • 1%

    RA worldwide prevalence

  • 3:1

    is the women-men affected ratio

  • 31.7 million

    is the estimated number of people with RA by 2050

How do we diagnose RA?

  • Item 1

    Autoantibodies against citrullinated peptides/proteins (ACPA), e.g. anti-MCV, anti-CCP, and RF are essential components of the ACR/EULAR criteria for classification of RA.Anti-MCVMeasurement of autoantibodies against mutated citrullinated vimentin as a useful additional marker, particularly in patients who are anti-CCP negativeHighly specific and extremely sensitive for RA Anti-CCP hsTailored antigen profile for enhanced autoantibody recognitionNumerous different epitopes for higher sensitivity Rheumatoid Factor IgM, IgA, IgGQuantitative measurement of individual RF isotypesIgM + IgA RF double positive is highly specific for RA.

    Item 1

Knowledge & Science

No content available.

Tests for diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Instruments for diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

References

a) Kay J, Upchurch KS. ACR/EULAR 2010 rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2012 Dec;51 Suppl 6:vi5-9.

b) Zhu JN, Nie LY, Lu XY, Wu HX. Meta-analysis: Compared with anti-CCP and rheumatoid factor, could anti-MCV be the next biomarker in the rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria? Clin Chem Lab Med. 2019 Oct 25;57(11):1668-1679.

c) GBD 2021 Rheumatoid Arthritis Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of rheumatoid arthritis, 1990-2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Rheumatol. 2023 Sep 25;5(10):e594-e610.

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