Key clinical point: Anti‐citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) sub-specificities as well as rheumatoid factor (RF) isotypes were associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Major finding: Rheumatoid arthritis patients with higher anti-CCP2 levels were at significantly increased risk for acute coronary syndrome (hazard ratio [HR], 1.46, P = 0.035), stroke (HR, 1.47, P = 0.034), and major adverse cardiovascular events overall (HR, 1.34, P = 0.014).

Study details: The data come from a prospective study of 2,814 adults with rheumatoid arthritis who were followed for an average of 13 years.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, Stockholm County Council (ALF), the Swedish Heart Lung Foundation, Karolinska Institute, The Nordic Research Council (Nordforsk), and the Foundation for Research in Rheumatology (FOREUM). One author reported research agreements with AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, and UCB. Another has been a member of the scientific advisory board for Thermo Fisher Scientific. One author is employed by Thermo Fisher Scientific.