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

Abstract

This study investigated the presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients and controls. Forty-nine patients with FMF were enrolled (23 had a history of arthritis during attacks and 26 had no such history). Two control groups were enrolled: 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 30 healthy individuals. Clinical and laboratory assessments of the FMF patients were performed during attack-free periods. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), and anti-CCP antibody levels were measured. In RA patients' ESR and CRP levels, frequency of RF, and anti-CCP antibody levels were significantly higher than in both FMF patients and healthy controls (p 0.001). Moreover, anti-CCP was negative in all healthy controls as well as in all FMF patients. Our results show that anti-CCP antibodies are not associated with FMF.