Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies are not associated with familial Mediterranean fever

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a genetic autoinflammatory disorder.
• Distinguishing FMF from other inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is clinically important.
• Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies are a hallmark of RA but their presence in FMF is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies in patients diagnosed with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
• To compare anti-CCP antibody levels in FMF patients with those in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls.
• To determine if anti-CCP antibodies are associated with FMF.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 49 FMF patients, 20 RA patients, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled.
• Clinical and laboratory assessments, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), and anti-CCP antibodies, were performed.
• FMF patients were assessed during attack-free periods.

Main Results:

• Rheumatoid arthritis patients exhibited significantly higher ESR, CRP, RF frequency, and anti-CCP antibody levels compared to both FMF patients and healthy controls (p < 0.001).
• Anti-CCP antibodies were detected in none of the healthy controls.
• Crucially, anti-CCP antibodies were negative in all familial Mediterranean fever patients.

Conclusions:

• The study concludes that anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies are not associated with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
• The absence of anti-CCP antibodies in FMF patients helps differentiate this condition from rheumatoid arthritis.
• These findings contribute to the accurate diagnosis and management of FMF.