Markers of collagen metabolism in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis.: With special reference to cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP)
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6.5. Biochemical and immunologic markers for diagnosis and outcome measurement in early RA

Table 14 shows a summary of the laboratory markers that are thought to have a potential for the diagnosis and prediction of the outcome of early RA. Only a few of these tests, namely RF, CRP and ESR, are routinely used in clinics. The results are contradictory as to the predictive potential of many of these markers.

Table 6-1. Biochemical and immunologic markers for diagnosis and outcome measurement in early RA. RF = rheumatoid factor, CRP = C-reactive protein, ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate, COMP = cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, BSP = bone sialoprotein, ICTP = cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen, PYD = pyridinoline, DPYD = deoxypyridinoline.

Marker	Prognostic	Disease-specific
RF	Yes	Yes
CRP, ESR	Yes	No
Antifilaggrin antibody	?*	Yes
Shared epitope/HLA-DR4	?	Yes
COMP	Yes	No
Hyaluronate	Yes	No
BSP	Yes	No
ICTP	Yes	No
PYD	Yes	No
? = Few or conflicting data, * Aho et al. 1999.

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Prediction of disease progression by ICTP, rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein (Study V)	Up	Conclusions