About the Authors

Jacob Sode

jaso@ssi.dk

Affiliations Department of Autoimmunology and Biomarkers, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark, Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark, Institute of Regional Health Research-Center Sønderjylland, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, OPEN (Odense Patient data Explorative Network), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

Ulla Vogel

Affiliation National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark

Steffen Bank

Affiliations Department of Medicine, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark, Biomedicine, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark

Paal Skytt Andersen

Affiliations Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark, Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Merete Lund Hetland

Affiliations The DANBIO Registry, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Henning Locht

Affiliation Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark

Niels H. H. Heegaard

Affiliations Department of Autoimmunology and Biomarkers, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark, Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

Vibeke Andersen

Affiliations Institute of Regional Health Research-Center Sønderjylland, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, Department of Medicine, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark, Molecular Diagnostic and Clinical Research Unit, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Aabenraa, Denmark, OPEN (Odense Patient data Explorative Network), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

Competing Interests

The authors of this manuscript have read the journal's policy and have the following competing interests: Vibeke Andersen received compensation as a consultant for MSD (Merck) and Janssen, and as a member of the advisory board for MSD (Merck). The other authors have declared that no competing interests exist. This did not alter the authors’ adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Author Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: JS UV SB PSA MLH HL NHHH VA. Performed the experiments: JS SB PSA. Analyzed the data: JS UV NHHH VA. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: JS PSA UV NHHH VA. Wrote the paper: JS UV SB PSA MLH HL NHHH VA. Contributed with collection of patient samples and clinical data: JS UV SB PSA MLH HL VA.