Demographic data, serological and clinical characteristics of the different subgroups dependent on therapy
| Group 1 (n=118) | Group 2 (n=108) | Group 3 (n=153) | Group 4 (n=53) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 77.1% | 79.2% | 80.4% | 88.7% |
| Age (years) | 56.1±13.9 (20–84) | 60.1±11.7 (17–84) | 56.2±12.3 (21–84) | 53.5±13.8 (28–80) |
| Disease duration (years) | 5.3±8.8 (0.08–58.3) | 8.0±8.4 (0.2–37.3) | 9.5±8.3 (0.2–47) | 12.1±6.6 (1.6–31.8) |
| IgM-RF positive | 63.6% | 72.0% | 75.5% | 67.9% |
| ACPA positive | 60% | 72.7% | 69.2% | 64.4% |
| DAS28 (baseline) | 5.0±1.4 (1.4–8.3) | 4.3±1.4 (1.5–7.9) | 5.2±1.3 (1.3–8.2) | 3.8±1.3 (1.4–6.4) |
| ESR, mm/h (baseline) | 31.1±22.3 (2–100) | 25.7±19.4 (2–90) | 33.3±21.7 (1–108) | 26.3±20.8 (2–95) |
| CRP level, mg/l (baseline) | 20.5±28.6 (0–162) | 13.3±23.0 (0–170) | 17.3±22.7 (0–120) | 8.3±11.0 (0–53.6) |
| Prednisolone equivalent (mg/d) (baseline) | 8.8±13.6 (0–90) | 5.3±4.3 (0–20) | 7.0±7.1 (0–50) | 3.6±3.2 (0–12.5) |
*Values are the mean±SD (range).
Group 1: first-line DMARD after new titration, Group 2: therapy switch from DMARD to second DMARD, Group 3: first-line biologic after DMARD therapy, and Group 4: therapy change from biologic to second biologic.
ACPA, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies; CRP, C reactive protein; DAS28, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; IgM-RF, IgM rheumatoid factor.