Table 1

Baseline characteristics of study patients

COBRAEarly arthritis clinic 1996–97Early arthritis clinic 2001Established disease activeEstablished disease remission
Disease activity score (28 joints), at baseline ⩾5.1 is high and ⩽2.6 is remission.
Number13426215656
Age, mean (SD)50 (12)62 (17)60 (14)60 (13)59 (14)
No (%) male55 (41)9 (35)8 (38)9 (16)9 (16)
Disease durationMedian 4 months (range 1.5–24)0 months0 months8 (9) years10 (9) years
ESR55 (33)52 (28)43 (30)39 (22)15 (15)
DAS28*5.9 (1.0)5.2 (0.8)5.8 (1.0)5.2 (1.5)⩽2.6 (0.7)