Table 2

 Disease modifying antirheumatic drug, corticosteroid, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use at the start of the study

DAS (n = 205)Usual care (n = 179)Total (n = 384)
The percentages do not add up to 100, because of combination therapy. DMARDs used by single patients were summed up as “other DMARDs.”
DAS, disease activity score; DMARD, disease modifying antirheumatic drug; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Methotrexate94 (46%)93 (52%)187 (49%)
Sulfasalazine54 (26%)47 (26%)101 (26%)
Hydroxychloroquine31 (15%)17 (10%)48 (13%)
Aurothioglucose16 (8%)8 (5%)24 (6%)
Ciclosporin6 (3%)3 (2%)9 (2%)
Azathioprine7 (3%)1 (1%)8 (2%)
Other DMARDs3 (1%)5 (3%)8 (2%)
Prednisone44 (21%)25 (14%)69 (18%)
NSAIDs172 (84%)133 (74%)305 (79%)