Correlation coefficients between clinical variables at baseline and radiological scores; p<0.05, *p<0.01, †not significant. Values are given for the whole group (n=155), except wherever significant differences were found between the two treatment groups
| Baseline | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRP | ESR | IgM RF | IgA RF | |
| SSZ, group with sulfasalazine treatment only; COMBI, group with combination treatment (sulfasalazine, methotrexate, prednisolone); CRP, C reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; IgM RF and IgA RF, IgM and IgA rheumatoid factor; SHS, Sharp score (van der Heijde modification). | ||||
| SHS, value at 56 weeks | 0.26* | 0.35* (SSZ 0.53*v COMBI 0.23†) | 0.19 | 0.21 |
| SHS, value at 80 weeks | 0.31* | 0.37* | 0.21 | 0.26* |
| SHS, progression (baseline-56 weeks) | 0.30* | 0.40* (SSZ 0.56* v COMBI 0.32*) | 0.20 | 0.25* |
| SHS, progression (baseline-80 weeks) | 0.37* | 0.42* | 0.25 | 0.29* |