To examine associations between sunlight exposure and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) using general population data in Quebec, Canada.
A random sample of 7,600 individuals (including 786 subjects who were ACPA positive and 201 self-reported rheumatoid arthritis [RA] cases) from the CARTaGENE cohort was studied cross-sectionally. All subjects were nested in 4 census metropolitan areas, and mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for ACPA positivity related to sunlight exposure, adjusting for sun-block use, industrial fine particulate matter (PM
The adjusted ORs and 95% CIs did not suggest conclusive associations between ACPA and sunlight exposure or sun-block use, but robust positive relationships were observed between industrial PM
We did not see clear links between ACPA and sunlight exposure or sun-block use, but we did note positive associations with industrial PM