Baseline demographic characteristics of the patients*
| Characteristics | Placebo plus MTX (n=187) | Rituximab plus MTX (n=281) |
|---|---|---|
| Female/male (n (%)) | 150 (80)/37 (20) | 228 (81)/53 (19) |
| Age (years) | 52.9 (12.1) | 52.5 (12.2) |
| Disease duration (years) | 11.7 (7.7) | 11.9 (8.2) |
| Swollen joint count | 23.1 (12.8) | 23.2 (11.9) |
| Tender joint count | 33.2 (15.7) | 33.2 (15.1) |
| CRP (mg/dl) | 3.7 (3.8) | 3.7 (3.9) |
| Anti-CCP positive (n (%)) | 82 (44) | 130 (46) |
| ESR (mm/h) | 48.7 (26.5) | 47.8 (25.6) |
| HAQ-DI score | 1.9 (0.54) | 1.8 (0.57) |
| Total Genant–modified Sharp score | 32.5 (31.5) | 30.6 (26.7) |
↵* Except where indicated otherwise values are the mean (SD).
CCP, cyclic citrullinated peptide; CRP, C-reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ-DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index; MTX, methotrexate.