Table 1

Patient characteristics at baseline and one year (n=42)

BaselineOne year
Clinical features
Age (y) median (range)48.5 (27–75)
Sex F : M25 : 17
Ethnic group33 white, 5 Maori,
4 Pacific Island
Seropositive (ever)38 (90%)
Symptom duration, median (range)4 months (2–6)16months (14–18)
Medication
NSAID38 (90%)25 (60%)
DMARD21 (50%)30 (71%)
 sulphasalazine (1–3 g/day)1816
 methotrexate (7.5–17.5 mg/week)110
 hydroxychloroquine (400 mg/day)23
 penicillamine (375 mg/day)1
Prednisone (1–10 mg/day)5 (12%)10 (24%)
Disease activity Median (range) Median (range)
Ritchie index13.5 (0–37)5.5 (0–25)1-150
Swollen joint count14.5 (0–38)2 (0–21)**
Pain score3.3 (0.7–9.3)2.3 (0–7.4)1-150
HAQ score0.6 (0–1.8)0.1 (2–4)1-150
DAS4.2 (1.3–7.6)1.3 (0.3–2.8)1-150
ESR (mm 1st h)29 (10–131)16 (1–113)**
CRP (mg/l)18 (0–150)5 (0–147)**
  • 1-150 p<0.05, **p<0.001.