Book Anti CCP Test

The Anti CCP test, also known as the Anti Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody (ACCP) test, is a blood test that detects the presence of anti-CCP antibodies in the blood. These are autoantibodies, meaning antibodies that the immune system mistakenly produces against the body's own proteins. Specifically, anti-CCP antibodies target citrullinated proteins, which are proteins that have undergone a chemical modification associated with the inflammatory process in the joints. The Anti CCP test is considered the most specific blood marker for rheumatoid arthritis currently available in clinical diagnostics. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing progressive inflammation, pain, stiffness, and eventual joint destruction. In India, rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 0.5 to 1% of the adult population and is significantly more common in women than men, with most patients being diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 60. What makes the Anti CCP test particularly valuable is that it can be positive years before the clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis become apparent, enabling early diagnosis and treatment that can prevent or significantly slow joint damage. The test involves a simple blood draw of approximately 2 ml from a vein in the arm and is completed in under five minutes.

Doctors prescribe an Anti CCP test in the following situations: Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in patients presenting with joint pain, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, swelling in multiple small joints of the hands and feet, fatigue, and generalised weakness. The Anti CCP test is ordered alongside the Rheumatoid Factor test as part of the initial diagnostic workup. Differentiating rheumatoid arthritis from other forms of arthritis and joint conditions that present with similar symptoms, including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and reactive arthritis. A positive Anti CCP result strongly points toward rheumatoid arthritis as the diagnosis. Detecting rheumatoid arthritis in its early or pre-clinical stage before significant joint damage has occurred. Early diagnosis and initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs significantly improves long-term outcomes and quality of life for Indian patients. Evaluating patients who test negative for Rheumatoid Factor but are clinically suspected to have rheumatoid arthritis. Approximately 20 to 30% of rheumatoid arthritis patients are seronegative for Rheumatoid Factor but positive for Anti CCP, making the ACCP test an essential complement to the RF test. Predicting disease severity and progression in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients. A high Anti CCP titre is associated with more aggressive joint erosion and a greater need for early intensive treatment. Monitoring disease activity alongside other inflammatory markers such as ESR and CRP in patients already receiving treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Anti CCP test detects and measures the concentration of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in the blood, reported in units per millilitre (U/mL). Normal and Abnormal Anti CCP Range The standard reference range used across most Indian rheumatology and diagnostic laboratories is as follows. A result below 20 U/mL is considered negative, indicating that anti-CCP antibodies were not detected at a clinically significant level. A result between 20 and 39 U/mL is considered weakly positive. This finding warrants clinical correlation with symptoms and other investigations as a weakly positive result does not always confirm rheumatoid arthritis. A result of 40 U/mL and above is considered positive and is strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Higher values generally correlate with more aggressive disease and a greater likelihood of joint erosion over time. Specificity and Sensitivity of Anti CCP Test The Anti CCP test has a specificity of approximately 95 to 98% for rheumatoid arthritis, meaning a positive result is very unlikely to be a false positive. Its sensitivity is approximately 70 to 75%, meaning it correctly identifies around three out of four rheumatoid arthritis patients. When used together with the Rheumatoid Factor test, the combined diagnostic accuracy for rheumatoid arthritis is significantly higher than either test alone.

Preparation for an Anti CCP test is minimal. Fasting is not required. You can eat and drink normally before sample collection. If Anti CCP is part of a larger panel that includes fasting tests, fast as advised by your doctor. Our team confirms preparation requirements at the time of booking. No medications need to be stopped before the test. Anti CCP antibody levels are not significantly affected by most medications including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, steroids, or NSAIDs. Continue all prescribed medications as usual. Stay normally hydrated before sample collection. Drinking water normally before the test is recommended. Inform the phlebotomist about all medications and supplements you are currently taking, as this information helps your doctor interpret the result in the context of your treatment history. There are no dietary or lifestyle restrictions specific to the Anti CCP test beyond the guidance above.

If you are booking through the SecondMedic platform the Anti CCP test price starts at approximately Rs. 1,870. The exact price will be confirmed at the time of booking through SecondMedic. If your doctor has prescribed multiple tests alongside Anti CCP, SecondMedic health packages include Anti CCP as part of a broader rheumatology or autoimmune panel at a significantly lower combined price.

SecondMedic provides home sample collection for Anti CCP test across all major areas of India. You do not need to visit a lab or collection centre. A certified and trained phlebotomist comes to your home or workplace at your chosen time, collects the sample using sterile single-use equipment, and ensures it is transported to the NABL-accredited lab within the required time window for accurate processing. Please note that SecondMedic provides free home sample collection on all tests priced above Rs. 300. Our team will check your pincode and confirm if your address falls under our free sample collection eligibility criteria, which depends upon the lab location and phlebotomist availability. Home collection is available between 7 AM and 10 PM, seven days a week, including Sundays and public holidays. Enter your pincode on the booking page or call our helpline to confirm availability at your address.