We have shown that patients with RA have varying degrees of ILAs that are associated with a spectrum of functional and physiologic decrements. Our findings suggest that improved risk stratification and detection of ILAs will provide a therapeutic window that could improve RA-ILD outcomes.
Objective-Classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is increasingly important as new therapies can halt the disease in its early stages. Antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) are widely used for RA diagnosis, but are not in the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Criteria for RA Classification. We developed and tested the performance characteristics of new criteria for RA classification, incorporating anti-CCP.Methods-We identified all subjects seen in our Arthritis Center with rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP tested simultaneously between January 1 and June 30, 2004 and reviewed their medical records for the ACR criteria, rheumatologists' diagnoses, RF and anti-CCP. We revised the ACR criteria in two ways: (1) adding anti-CCP, (2) replacing rheumatoid nodules and erosions with anti-CCP (CCP 6 criteria). We compared sensitivity and specificity of all criteria, in all subjects and in subjects with arthritis symptoms ≤ 6 months.Results-Medical records of 292 subjects were analysed: mean age was 54 years, 82% were women, and mean symptom duration was 4.1 years. 17% were RF+ and 14% were anti-CCP+ at initial testing. 78 (27%) had definite RA per treating rheumatologist at latest follow-up.The CCP 6 criteria increased sensitivity for RA classification for all subjects regardless of symptom duration: 74% vs. 51% for ACR criteria with a loss in specificity (81% vs. 91%). Sensitivity was greatly improved in subjects with symptoms ≤ 6 months: 25% vs. 63% for ACR criteria with a decrease in specificity.Conclusion-The CCP 6 criteria improved upon the sensitivity of the ACR criteria, most remarkably for subjects with symptoms ≤ 6 months and could be used for classification of subjects for RA in clinical studies.
In RA, the CDAI and RAPID correlated well with the DAS28-CRP4. They may both be practical and informative in the care of patients in the office setting.
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