A 55-year-old woman has morning stiffness lasting over an hour and symmetric swelling of the metacarpophalangeal joints. Which finding is most specific?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Anti-CCP antibodies

  1. Step 1: Anti-CCP is highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis. Answer: Anti-CCP antibodies. Why not the others: Uric acid indicates gout, HLA-B27 spondyloarthropathies and anti-dsDNA lupus.

Practise more Pathology.

Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed USMLE Step 1 mock tests.