Differentiation of Rheumatoid Arthritis From HCV Infection: Rheumatoid Factor, Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide or Anti-Mutated Citrullinated Vimentin?

Objective: Differentiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from other diseases with joint involvement such as hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection represents a diagnostic problem. In addition to the rheumatoid factor (RF), more specific and sensitive autoantibodies are under evaluation in recent years with conflicting results. In this study, we tested the diagnostic value of rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and antimutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) in distinguishing RA from hepatitis C patients. Materials and Methods: Sera of 34 RA patients and 30 hepatitis C patients were tested for RF, anti-CCP anti-MCV. Disease activity was determined by disease activity score (DAS-28) 28 in RA and by modified Knodell score in hepatitis C patients. Extra-articular involvement in RA and rheumatologic involvement in hepatitis