•Peripheral biomarkers (including Abs to MAA-modified albumin (IgA, IgG, IgM), collagen (IgA, IgG), fibrinogen (IgG), and vimentin (IgA, IgG)) improve RA-ILD identification beyond clinical risk factors (AUC 0.739 vs. 0.630, p<0.001). The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.