Demographic and disease characteristics of the included population
| n= | ||
|---|---|---|
| Female gender | 598 (71.5%) | |
| Age, years (mean±SD) | 64.3 (12.0) | 836 |
| Disease duration | 9(5–17) | 814 |
| Positive anti-CCP | 580 (90.5%) | 641 |
| Positive RF | 690 (87.2%) | 791 |
| CRP (0–10) | 3 (1–7) | 538 |
| DAS28–CRP (0–10) | 2.4 (1.8–3.2) | 526 |
| Low (DAS28–CRP <2.6) | 298 (56.7%) | |
| Moderate (2.6≤ DAS28–CRP ≤3.2) | 108 (20.5%) | |
| High (DAS28–CRP >3.2) | 120 (22.8%) | |
| HAQ | 0.5 (0.125–1.0) | 626 |
| Being treated with prednisolone (0/1) | 75 (9.0%) | 836 |
| Being treated with DMARD (0/1) | 660 (78.9%) | 836 |
| Being treated with anti-TNF (0/1) | 168 (20.1%) | 836 |
| Known hypertension (0/1) | 349 (42.0%) | 831 |
| Known ischaemic CVD (0/1) | 152 (19.1%) | 794 |
| Men | 53 (24%) | 221 |
| Women | 99 (17.3%) | 573 |
| Known DM (0/1) | 74 (9.0%) | 822 |
| Alcohol above limits (n) | 50 (6.4%) | 787 |
| Women >7 units per week | 19 (3.4%) | 560 |
| Men >14 units per week | 31 (13.7%) | 227 |
Anti-CCP, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide; anti-TNF, anti-tumour necrosis factor; Being treated with DMARD, could be one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; CRP, C-reactive protein; CVD, cardiovascular disease; DAS28–CRP, disease activity score in 28 joints, CRP and patient global assessment score; DM, diabetes mellitus, percentages are calculated based on number of observations for each variable; HAQ, health assessment questionnaire; (n=), number and percentage of the population; mean (SD), SD or median (IQR), IQR, as appropriate; RF, rheumatoid factor.