RESEARCH - Anti-modified citrullinated vimentin (MCV) antibodies in patients with very early synovitis

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Ann Rheum Dis. Published Online First: 20 October 2009.

doi:10.1136/ard.2009.118448

Anti-modified citrullinated vimentin (MCV) antibodies in patients with

very early synovitis

Karim Raza1,*, Mathsson2, D Buckley1, Filer1,

Johan Rönnelid2

1 University of Birmingham, United Kingdom;

2 Uppsala University, Sweden

ABSTRACT

Anti-CCP antibodies are very specific for the development of RA in

patients with very early synovitis.[1] Their predictive value is

underscored by their high weighting in an algorithm validated in

patients with undifferentiated synovitis 3 months duration.[2]

However, using this algorithm, one cannot accurately predict outcome

in 25% of patients and additional predictive markers are needed. We

have reported that antibodies against type II collagen were unhelpful

in this phase of disease.[3] Several groups have measured

anti-modified citrullinated vimentin (MCV) antibodies in RA patients.

In patients with symptoms of < 12 months’ duration, the specificity

and sensitivity of anti-MCV were 95% and 71% respectively.[4] The

enhanced sensitivity, compared with anti-CCP2, raised the possibility

of clinical utility. Subsequently, in patients with synovitis of < 2

years duration, a specificity and sensitivity of 83% and 62% (vs 93%

and 57% for anti-CCP2 respectively) has been reported [5].

http://ard.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/ard.2009.118448v1?papetoc

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