Clinical Significance of Anti-Modified Citrullinated Vimentin Antibodies in Palindromic Rheumatism.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated anti-modified citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) performance in determining the clinical picture and outcomes of palindromic rheumatism (PR).

METHODS: In a retrospective study, patients with PR with at least 1 year of follow-up diagnosed according to clinical criteria were enrolled. Anti-MCV antibodies were measured, and levels >20 IU/mL were considered positive. Disease prognosis was assessed according to patients acquiring remission and preventing PR from developing into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other diseases.

RESULTS: Seventy-six patients with PR with a mean follow-up of 30.57 months (median = 21 months; minimum = 12 months; maximum = 48 months) were included in the study. Anti-MCV antibodies were positive in 69.7% of patients. Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint involvement and positive anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides were significantly higher in patients who were anti-MCV-positive, whereas ankle joint involvement was significantly lower. No significant correlation was observed between the anti-MCV titer and the severity of attacks. Remission in patients who were anti-MCV-positive and negative was 75.5% and 78.3%, respectively, with no significant difference. Evolution to RA was observed in only 3.8% of patients who were anti-MCV-positive. No patients who were anti-MCV-negative developed RA.

CONCLUSION: Except for MCP and ankle joint involvement, anti-MCV was not helpful in determining the clinical picture and outcome of PR.