Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies may be prognostic factor for vascularization of the synovial membrane in patients with high activity of RA.

This single-center study aimed to evaluate relationship between the concentration of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) and the degree of synovial perfusion in patients with high disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study enrolled 60 patients diagnosed with RA and group of 20 patients with psoriasis arthritis (PsA). Different laboratory variables were assessed and particularly ACPA (U/ML), disease activity was calculated by DAS 28(ESR) and simplified disease activity score (SDAI). The degree of the synovial membrane vascularization was assessed using power doppler US (PDUS) and additionally vascularity index was measured by PDUS index (INDEX%) in the ROI (region of interest). Correlation between the concentration of ACPA and INDEX% in RA group was confirmed as week positivity indicating that ACPA may be a prognostic factor for vascularization of the synovial membrane in patients with RA.