Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics
| Demographics/characteristics | Abatacept (n = 28) | Placebo (n = 28) |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 44.8 (10.9) | 44.7 (12.1) |
| Gender, female, n (%) | 20 (71.4) | 20 (71.4) |
| Ethnicity, Caucasian, n (%) | 25 (89.3) | 23 (82.1) |
| Geographical region, n (%) | ||
| Europe | 17 (60.7) | 21 (75.0) |
| North America | 6 (21.4) | 5 (17.9) |
| South America | 5 (17.9) | 2 (7.1) |
| Disease duration (months) | 8.8 (4.2) | 7.1 (4.4) |
| Number of ACR criteria met, n (%)* | ||
| 1 | 5 (17.9) | 2 (7.1) |
| 2 | 6 (21.4) | 9 (32.1) |
| 3 | 17 (60.7) | 16 (57.1) |
| Number of joints with arthritis, n (%){ | ||
| 1 | 2 (7.1) | 2 (7.1) |
| 2–4 | 20 (71.4) | 24 (85.7) |
| ≥5 | 5 (17.9) | 2 (7.1) |
| Patients with erosions, n (%) | 15 (53.6) | 16 (57.1) |
| Radiographic erosion score | 3.2 (3.5) | 3.8 (3.3) |
| Radiographic JSN score | 0.1 (0.4) | 0.3 (0.9) |
| Radiographic total score | 3.3 (3.6) | 4.0 (3.6) |
| Physical function (HAQ-DI) | 0.8 (0.6) | 0.8 (0.6) |
| Levels of CRP (mg/dl) | 1.12 (1.43) | 1.07 (1.60) |
| Rheumatoid factor (% positive) | 24 (85.7) | 20 (71.4) |
| DAS28 (CRP) | 3.6 (1.1) | 3.4 (0.9) |
| Antirheumatic drugs | ||
| Corticosteroids (oral and/or injectable) | 5 (17.9) | 3 (10.7) |
| Corticosteroids (oral ,10 mg/day) | 4 (14.3) | 2 (7.1) |
| NSAIDs | 22 (78.6) | 25 (89.3) |
Data are presented as mean (SD), unless otherwise specified.
↵* One patient in the placebo group was later discovered to have had rheumatoid arthritis at baseline, and was withdrawn from the study; {one patient in the abatacept group had no synovitis at baseline.
ACR, American College of Rheumatology; CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS28, 28 joint count Disease Activity Score; HAQ-DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index; JSN, joint space narrowing; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.