Does anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin have additional value as a serological marker in the diagnostic and prognostic investigation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis? A systematic review.

Abstract

To review the diagnostic and prognostic value of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV) in rheumatoid arthritis, taking into account the already available serology. Medline was searched via PubMed (1966 to May 2008) for anti-MCV and related terms, arthritis and arthropathies. Studies with anti-MCV, arthritis/arthropathy, and primary data on diagnosis and/or prognosis were included. Their methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) instrument for diagnostic studies and the modified Hayden list for prognostic studies. Of 14 eligible studies, 11 included diagnostic data and 3 included prognostic data. No study evaluated anti-MCV as an added diagnostic test to the already available anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and rheumatoid factor serology. One study included the optimal patient spectrum resulting in a sensitivity of 0.59 and specificity of 0.98. A total of 10 diagnostic case-control studies using the same anti-MCV kit showed a sensitivity of 0.64-0.84 and a specificity of 0.79-0.96. This almost equalled the performance of anti-CCP in the same studies. The prognostic evaluation of anti-MCV was limited by differences in study methodology, outcome and statistical modelling. Individual studies showed moderate associations for anti-MCV and radiological progression with the strength of the association comparable to that of anti-CCP. Study heterogeneity, choice of study population and methodological limitations limited overall conclusions about the true diagnostic and prognostic test performance of anti-MCV. Evidence from the diagnostic case-control studies suggests that anti-MCV may be used as an alternative for anti-CCP.