Clinical variables at baseline in the two treatment groups (mean (SD) unless indicated otherwise). There are no significant differences between the treatment groups
| SSZ group (n=79) | COMBI group (n=76) | Total (n=155) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SsZ, sulfasalazine treatment; COMBI group, combined treatment (sulfasalazine, methotrexate, and prednisolone); CRP, C reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; IgM RF and IgA RF, IgM and IgA rheumatoid factor (positive if >20 IU/ml); TJC, tender joint count; SJC, swollen joint count; DAS, disease activity score; SHS, Sharp score (modification van der Heijde). | |||
| CRP (mg/l) | 41 (34) | 44 (40) | 42 (37) |
| ESR (mm/1st h) | 53 (32) | 57 (34) | 55 (33) |
| IgM RF (IU/ml) | 157 (227) | 189 (233) | 172 (230) |
| IgM RF positive (%) | 71 | 72 | 72 |
| IgA RF (IU/ml) | 194 (283) | 217 (284) | 206 (282) |
| IgA RF positive (%) | 80 | 72 | 76 |
| TJC | 24 (14) | 25 (14) | 25 (14) |
| SJC | 15 (8) | 16 (9) | 15 (8) |
| DAS | 4.4 (1.2) | 4.2 (1.5) | 4.3 (1.4) |
| SHS (median (range)) | 5 (0–50) | 3 (0–58) | 4 (0–58) |