Characteristics of 25 patients with JIA
| Discontinuation of MTX | Groups | |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Late | |
| *Continuation of treatment with MTX after diagnosis of remission was documented. | ||
| Number of patients | 15 | 10 |
| Diagnosis (oligoarticular/polyarticular JIA) | 7/8 | 5/5 |
| Sex (female/male) | 13/2 | 8/2 |
| Age (years), mean (range) | 6.6 (3–12) | 6.0 (4–11) |
| MTX (mg/m2), mean (range) | 9.9 (5–15) | 10.2 (5–15) |
| MTX continuation* (months), mean (range) | 3.8 (0–6) | 12.6 (7–18) |
| Tapering before stop, No (%) | 11 (73) | 4 (40) |
| Relapses, No (%) | 7 (47) | 6 (60) |
| Duration of remission (months), mean (range) | 14.9 (3–36) | 12.1 (1–36) |
| MRP active (ng/ml), mean (SEM) | 2970 (1070) | 2920 (970) |
| MRP in remission (ng/ml), mean (SEM) | 490 (80) | 420 (80) |
| CRP active (mg/l), mean (SEM) | 19 (9) | 23 (7) |
| CRP in remission (mg/l), mean (SEM) | 1 (1) | 1 (1) |
| ESR active (mm/1st h), mean (SEM) | 26.5 (4.5) | 26.9 (5.6) |
| ESR in remission (mm/1st h), mean (SEM) | 9.3 (1.1) | 12.6 (2.6) |
| Active joints (maximally active), mean (range) | 3.1 (1–8) | 5 (2–13) |