Anti-CCP antibodies are specifically associated with which autoimmune disease?

• A. RA
• B. MG
• C. Autoimmune hepatitis
• D. Goodpasture's syndrome

Answer: (A)

Anti-CCP antibodies are a highly specific marker for rheumatoid arthritis. They are autoantibodies directed against citrullinated proteins, a modification that occurs during inflammatory processes in the joints. Because they target a modified protein in the context of RA, their presence strongly supports this diagnosis and can help distinguish RA from other autoimmune diseases. They often appear early, even before overt joint damage, and are more RA-specific than many other autoantibodies. In contrast, myasthenia gravis involves antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor or related proteins, autoimmune hepatitis involves antibodies like anti-smooth muscle or LKM-1, and Goodpasture’s syndrome involves anti-GBM antibodies.