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01-11-2001 | Review

Autoantibody systems in rheumatoid arthritis: specificity, sensitivity and diagnostic value

Authors: Martinus AM van Boekel, Erik R Vossenaar, Frank HJ van den Hoogen, Walther J van Venrooij

Published in: Arthritis Research & Therapy | Issue 2/2001

Abstract

The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is primarily based on clinical symptoms, so it is often difficult to diagnose RA in very early stages of the disease. A disease-specific autoantibody that could be used as a serological marker would therefore be very useful. Most autoimmune diseases are characterized by a polyclonal B-cell response targeting multiple autoantigens. These immune responses are often not specific for a single disease. In this review, the most important autoantibody/autoantigen systems associated with RA are described and their utility as a diagnostic and prognostic tool, including their specificity, sensitivity and practical application, is discussed. We conclude that, at present, the antibody response directed to citrullinated antigens has the most valuable diagnostic and prognostic potential for RA.

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Title: Autoantibody systems in rheumatoid arthritis: specificity, sensitivity and diagnostic value
Authors: Martinus AM van Boekel
Erik R Vossenaar
Frank HJ van den Hoogen
Walther J van Venrooij
Publication date: 01-11-2001
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Arthritis Research & Therapy / Issue 2/2001
Electronic ISSN: 1478-6362
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/ar395

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