Table 1

 Clinical characteristics (mean (SD)), laboratory findings (mean (SD)), drugs and x ray status of the patients

CRP, C reactive protein; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; VAS, Visual Analogue Scale.
Age (years)55 (15)
Females:males28:16
Disease duration (years)8.4 (11)
Seropositive:seronegative16:28
Disease
    Rheumatoid arthritis14
    Monarthritis11
    Oligoarthritis9
    Psoriatic arthritis3
    Juvenile arthritis3
    Undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy2
    Polymyalgia rheumatica2
VAS of the site, pain (0–100 mm)40 (20)
Duration of pain at the site (years)2.6 (3.6)
Swollen joint count2 (2.2)
ESR (mm/h)18 (20)
CRP (mg/l)13 (36)
B haemoglobin (g/l)138 (13)
Drugs
    No24
    1 DMARD9
    2 DMARDs (combination)4
    3–4 DMARDs (combination)7
x Ray status of the sites, Larsen scores
    L 019
    L 117
    L 22
    L 35
    L 41
    L 50