Diagnostic value of anti-carbamylate protein antibod for rheumatoid arthritis: a meta analysis

Objective We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of anti-carbamylate protein antibody (anti-CarP antibody) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods All domestic and foreign database were searched by computerized and manual methods, including PubMed database, Embase database, Cochrane library. All studies about anti-CarP antibody on the diagnostic value of RA were included. The deadline of the search was March 15, 2018. Studies that did not meet the population and threshold to select criteria requirements were excluded. Results Manager 5.2, Meta-disc 1.4 and Stata12.0 software were used for literature quality evaluation and statistical analysis. Results A total of 8 papers were included. The heterogeneity test showed that there was heterogeneity caused by non threshold effects among the studies, and random effects model was used for Meta analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios of anti-CarP antibody for the diagnosis of RA were [45%, 95%CI(43%, 48%)]、[97%, 95%CI(95%, 98%)]、[12.65, 95%CI(8.87, 18.05)]、[0.56, 95%CI(0.53, 0.6)]. DOR was [23.97, 95%CI(16.33, 35.17)] respectively, and the AUC was 0.777 5. Conclusion Anti-CarP antibody is highly specific for the diagnosis of RA, but its sensitivity is poor. Key words: Anti-carbamylate protein antibody; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Sensitivity and specificity; Meta analysis