Population characteristics at baseline. Values are mean (SD); median (interquartile range); number (column percentage)
| Included | Drop outs | p Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TS, time since symptom onset; TD, time since diagnosis; RF+, rheumatoid factor positivity; ANA+, antinuclear antibody positivity. RADAI, rheumatoid arthritis disease activity index; DAS28, disease activity index; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; x Ray, Ratingen x ray score. | |||
| Patients, No | 228 | 36 | |
| Female, No (%) | 156 (68) | 32 (89) | 0.01 |
| Age (years), mean (SD) | 59 (13) | 60 (15) | 0.81 |
| TS (years), median (IQR) | 12 (6–18) | 9 (4–15) | 0.15 |
| TD (years), median (IQR) | 11 (4–17) | 8 (4–14) | 0.30 |
| RF+, No (%) | 161/201 (80) | 27/32 (84) | 0.57 |
| ANA+, No (%) | 73/190 (38) | 7/30 (23) | 0.12 |
| Pain, median (IQR) | 3 (1–5) | 4 (2–6) | 0.32 |
| RADAI, mean (SD) | 3.5 (2.0) | 3.8 (1.8) | 0.47 |
| DAS28, mean (SD) | 4.1 (1.5) | 4.4 (1.2) | 0.19 |
| HAQ, median (IQR) | 1.0 (0.4–1.8) | 1.1 (0.5–1.5) | 0.49 |
| x Ray score, median (IQR) | 3 (0–12) | 1 (0–21) | 0.71 |