Internal medicine journal
-
Internal medicine journal · Jul 2020
Repeat serological testing for anti-citrullinated peptide antibody after commencement of therapy is not helpful in patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
To Investigate the prevalence of seroconversion to ACPA after commencement of triple disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treat-to-target therapy. ⋯ Persistent seroconversion of ACPA from negative to positive after diagnosis in patients with RA is uncommon. ACPA and RF double negative patients are highly unlikely to ever develop ACPA positivity with a risk <1%. It is therefore unlikely to be helpful or cost effective to perform serial ACPA measurements in patients with seronegative RA after commencement of a treat-to-target strategy.