Sputum Studies of Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies (ACPA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Origins (NCT04474392) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Sputum Studies of Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies (ACPA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Origins
United States340 participantsStarted 2020-08-01
Plain-language summary
The study is designed to learn more about the causes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). People who get RA have elevated protein markers called autoantibodies in their blood years before initial symptoms of arthritis. The goal of this study is to learn more about how autoantibodies in RA might be related to inflammation in the lungs.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 100 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. No evidence of inflammatory arthritis on clinical examination AND
. At elevated risk for RA based on familial or serologic risk
. No history of RA
. No FDRs with RA
. No systemic use of immunosuppressants for autoimmune disease
. Classified RA by 1987 ACR and/or 2010 ACR/EULAR RA classification criteria (confirmed by medical chart review) OR
. Diagnosed with RA by a board-certified rheumatologist (confirmed by medical chart review)
Exclusion criteria
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial was studying whether anti-CCP antibodies found in sputum — the mucus from the lungs — can predict who might develop rheumatoid arthritis; has my doctor seen any published results from this study, and do those findings change how I should think about my own antibody test results?
2Since this trial is now completed and was focused on research rather than treatment, are there any follow-up studies or active trials building on this sputum antibody work that might actually be relevant to my care right now?
3This study looked at the origins of RA, including what happens in the lungs before joint symptoms appear — given that context, should I be asking about any lung-related screening or monitoring as part of understanding my own RA diagnosis?
4Because this was a non-treatment observational study with a phase listed as 'NA,' does my doctor think the science behind it — connecting airway biology to RA development — is relevant to my specific situation or disease history?
5Are there other studies or clinical trials currently enrolling that are testing actual treatments based on what researchers have learned about the early origins of RA, and would any of those be worth exploring for my case?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Sputum anti-CCP antibodies predicting incident RA
Timeframe: 1-3 years per participant (depending on group); study visits x1 per year, with option for 3 additional visits over 1 year for a subgroup of participants.