Table 2 Treatment differences, relative per cent improvements, standardised response means, and relative efficiencies for the patient reported outcomes
Patient reported outcomeTreatment difference* (95% CI)Relative per cent improvement†Standardised response mean† (95% CI)Relative efficiency‡
Tender joint count−8.1 (−11.1 to −5.1)250.57 (0.35 to 0.78)
Swollen joint count−4.6 (−6.9 to −2.4)210.43 (0.22 to 0.64)0.57
Patient global assessment−16.7 (−22.8 to −10.7)240.58 (0.37 to 0.80)1.04
Physician global assessment−17.5 (−22.6 to −12.4)260.72 (0.51 to 0.94)1.60
Pain assessment−20.0 (−26.2 to −13.7)280.67 (0.46 to 0.89)1.38
HAQ−0.33 (−0.44 to −0.22)180.63 (0.42 to 0.85)1.22
C reactive protein−22.6 (−31.2 to −13.9)520.55 (0.34 to 0.76)0.93
ESR−19.1 (−25.2 to −13.1)380.77 (0.52 to 1.02)1.82
Activity limitation−5.9 (−8.4 to −3.4)350.51 (0.29 to 0.29)0.80
Fatigue−16.8 (−22.8 to −10.8)230.59 (0.38 to 0.81)1.07
Sleep quality−7.6 (−11.1 to −4.1)160.46 (0.24 to 0.67)0.65
SF-36 Physical functioning4.1 (2.0 to 6.2)160.43 (0.21 to 0.64)0.57
SF-36 Role-physical6.0 (3.7 to 8.2)190.57 (0.35 to 0.78)1.00
SF-36 Bodily pain6.5 (4.5 to 8.6)210.68 (0.46 to 0.90)1.42
SF-36 General health3.2 (1.5 to 5.0)90.42 (0.20 to 0.63)0.54
SF-36 Vitality5.6 (3.4 to 7.9)160.55 (0.33 to 0.76)0.93
SF-36 Social functioning5.2 (2.7 to 7.7)160.44 (0.22 to 0.65)0.60
SF-36 Role-emotional4.3 (0.9 to 7.6)120.28 (0.07 to 0.49)0.24
SF-36 Mental health3.5 (1.4 to 5.6)80.35 (0.14 to 0.56)0.38
SF-36 Physical component5.5 (3.6 to 7.4)200.62 (0.40 to 0.83)1.18
SF-36 Mental component3.7 (1.3 to 6.1)90.33 (0.12 to 0.54)0.34
  • *Treatment difference: ma−mc, where ma = the mean change score from baseline in the abatacept group, and mc = corresponding values for the control group.

  • †See appendix for derivation.

  • ‡Relative efficiency: (SRM of outcome)2 / (SRM of tender joint count)2.

  • CI, confidence interval; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ, health assessment questionnaire; SF-36, short form 36 item health survey; SRM, standardised response mean.