Patient characteristics
|
RA CD40Lhigh+
(n=18) |
RA CD40Llow+
(n=44) | |
| Mean disease duration (range) in years | 7 (0.5–25) | 7 (0.5–40) |
| Mean age (range) in years | 54.6 (29–75) | 61.5 (25–77) |
| Male/female | 4 / 14 | 7 / 37 |
| State of disease | ||
| early / progressive / late | 3 / 15 / 0 | 7 / 36 / 1 |
| Extraarticular features | ||
| nodules / sicca syndrome / vasculitis | 1 / 2 / 0 | 3 / 2 / 1 |
| Increased CRP level | 15 (83%) | 28 (64%) |
| Mean (SD) CRP (mg/l) | 30.2 (24.1) | 36.5 (34.7) |
| Positive RF | 16 (89%) | 32 (73%) |
| Mean (SD) RF (IU/ml) | 292.8 (306.3) | 240.5 (453.1) |
| Complete Remission | 0 (0%) | 9 (21%) |
| DMARD medication | ||
| methotrexate | 10 | 20 |
| sulfasalazine | 2 | 8 |
| hydroxychloroquine | 0 | 2 |
| cyclosporin A | 3 | 0 |
| no DMARD | 6 (33%) | 15 (34%) |
Characteristics of RA CD40Lhigh+ (n=18) and RA CD40Llow+ (n=44) patients. SD: standard deviation, CRP: C reactive protein, RF: rheumatoid factor, DMARD: disease modifying antirheumatic drug.