Anti-CCP antibodies are more specific than RF for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis and may better predict erosivedisease.

Smoking is a risk factor for RA, especially RF+ RA men and heavy smokers.

Objective. To verify the effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on osteoclast differentiation and on experimental arthritis in mice.Methods. Human osteoclasts were differentiated from peripheral blood monocytes. The effects of EGCG were examined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase ( Conclusion. EGCG suppressed osteoclast differentiation and ameliorated experimental arthritis in mice over the short term. It remains to be established whether EGCG is useful for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

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