Repeat serological testing for anti-citrullinated peptide antibody after commencement of therapy is not helpful in patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis

Aim: To Investigate the prevalence of seroconversion to ACPA after commencement of triple disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treat-to-target therapy. Background: Anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) define ‘seropositive’ rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both predict unfavourable disease course, development of extra-articular features and treatment outcomes. We investigated the prevalence of seroconversion to ACPA after commencement of triple disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treat-to-target therapy. Methods: DMARD-naïve patients with RA according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria and disease duration of