['To analyse if predictors of radiographic progression differ between patients treated with or without prednisolone in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Radiographs of hands and feet were assessed using the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score and radiographic progression was defined as an increase in the total Sharp score above 5.8 (the smallest detectable change).', 'Prospective, randomised study of patients with early RA.', 'Secondary level of care; six participating centres from southern Sweden; both urban and rural populations.', 'In all, 225 patients, 64% women, with a diagnosis of RA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria, were included if they were between 18 and 80\u2005years of age and had a disease duration of less than 1\u2005year.', 'The patients were randomised to 7.5\u2005mg prednisolone daily for 2\u2005years (P-group; n=108) or no prednisolone (NoP-group; n=117) when they started with their first disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug and were prospectively followed for 2\u2005years.', 'The frequency of patients with radiographic progression after 2\u2005years was 26% in the P-group and 39% in the NoP-group (p=0.033). Relevant interactions between treatment and rheumatoid factor (RF) (p=0.061) and between treatment and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (anti-CCP) (p=0.096) were found. RF and anti-CCP independently predicted radiographic progression only in the NoP-group, OR (95% CI) 9.4 (2.5 to 35.2), p=0.001 and OR (95% CI) 8.7 (2.5 to 31.3), p=0.001, respectively.'] Do rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP predict progressive joint damage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis treated with prednisolone : a randomised study?