Baseline characteristics of the 279 patients with RA included in the study
| All patients | Anti-CP positive patients | Anti-CP negative patients | Difference between groups (p) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figures are given as median values and as proportions. | ||||
| Differences between median values were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test, whereas differences between proportions were analysed using the χ2 test. | ||||
| NS = not significant. | ||||
| Age at inclusion (years) | 56 | 54.5 | 60.0 | 0.0006 |
| Sex, % women | 70.3% (196/279) | 71.9% (115/160) | 68.1% (81/119) | NS |
| Disease duration at inclusion (months) | 5 | 6 | 5 | <0.0001 |
| RF positive (2 missing values) | 175/277 | 147/159 | 28/118 | <0.0001 |
| CRP (mg/l) | 14 | 16 | 13 | NS |
| ESR (mm/1st h) | 21 | 23.5 | 20 | NS |
| Physicians’ assessment of disease activity (0–4) | 2 | 2 | 2 | NS |
| Number of swollen joints | 9 | 9 | 9 | NS |
| Number of tender joints | 7 | 6 | 8 | NS |
| DAS28 | 5.01 | 4.99 | 5.06 | NS |
| Global VAS | 45 | 45 | 45 | NS |
| Pain VAS | 46 | 46.5 | 45 | NS |
| HAQ | 0.88 | 0.88 | 0.88 | NS |
| Number of patients starting DMARD treatment | 235/279 | 129/160 | 106/119 | NS |