Kindstedt E, et al. - Researchers undertook this study to investigate if periodontitis, displayed as marginal jawbone loss, preceded the onset of symptoms of RA. Furthermore, an analysis was also carried out, of plasma levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANKL), a cytokine crucial for bone resorption and of anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) in pre-symptomatic individuals compared with controls. Findings demonstrated that clinical onset of RA symptoms was preceded by marginal jawbone loss but only in non-smokers, the difference was manifested. A significantly higher degree of marginal jawbone loss was exhibited by pre-symptomatic RA-individuals, who were RANKL positive, particularly in ACPA positive individuals.