Objective: To investigate whether serum levels of anti-Carbamylated antibodies are specifically elevated in active rheumatoid arthritis compared to clinical and laboratory markers of disease activity.
Methods: Sixty rheumatoid arthritis patients according to the ACR-EULAR criteria 2010 and 30 matched healthy controls were recruited. Clinical evaluation of disease activity was measured by; morning stiffness duration, Visual analogue scale, number of tender joints, number of swollen joints and DAS-28. Functional assessment was measured by the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ). Laboratory measures; ESR, CRP and RF titer was also done and finally radiological activity by ultrasound 7 score were determined parallel and correlated. Results: anti-Carbamylated antibody was found to be positive in more than 50% of patients with active RA. Those patients were seronegative for RF. Anti-Carbamylated antibody positivity was significantly associated with duration of morning stiffness, number of tender joints, number of swollen joints, DAS28, HAQ DI, and acute phase reactants (ESR & CRP). Conclusion: Anti-CarP antibody was found to be positive in RA patients and it was significantly correlated with clinical, laboratory and radiological markers of disease activity as well as the functional assessment.