Median (range) sum scores of 78 joints for BM (B-mode or grey scale US) and PD (power Doppler US), DAS28, SDAI, CDAI, assessor's global evaluation of disease activity, number of swollen joints, number of tender joints, ESR and CRP at baseline and follow-up examinations
| Baseline (median (range)) | 1 Month (median (range)) | 3 Months (median (range)) | 6 Months (median (range)) | 12 Months (median (range)) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BM 78 joints | 45 (6–106) | 35 (2–89)** | 26 (3–80)** | 17 (0–81) | 23 (1–83) |
| PD 78 joints | 28 (0–81) | 17 (0–58)** | 9 (0–51)** | 9 (0–73) | 7 (0–68) |
| DAS28 | 5.3 (3.4–7.7) | 4.2 (1.6–8.9)** | 4.3 (0.8–7.0) | 4.4 (1.6–7.6) | 4.3 (1.4–6.7) |
| CDAI | 25.0 (8.8–44.2) | 15.1 (1.6–52.3)** | 14.0 (0.7–29.1)* | 15.7 (0.2–41.5) | 13.2 (0.8–27.6) |
| SDAI | 26.0 (9.3–57.8) | 15.7 (1.7–68.6)** | 14.1 (0.9–30.8)* | 15.8 (0.3–48.6) | 13.7 (1.0–34.0) |
| Assessor's global | 26 (6–55) | 15 (4–52)* | 14 (3–40)* | 11 (2–57) | 10 (3–44) |
| Swollen joints (of 40) | 8 (1–19) | 5 (0–22)** | 6 (0–16) | 4 (0–16) | 4 (0–14) |
| Tender joints (of 40) | 11 (0–22) | 8 (0–34) | 7 (0–16)* | 6 (0–16) | 6 (0–20) |
| ESR (mm/h) | 20 (3–67) | 13 (3–108)** | 15 (2–65) | 15 (5–99) | 18 (3–78) |
| CRP (mg/l) | 5 (1–136) | 2 (1–163) | 3 (1–26) | 3 (1–78) | 5 (1–86) |
The differences from baseline to 1 month, 1–3 months, 3–6 months and 6–12 months were analysed by Wilcoxon signed rank test.
↵* p<0.05;
↵** p<0.005.
BM, B-mode; CDAI, Clinical Disease Activity Index; CRP, C reactive protein; DAS28, Disease Activity Score 28; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; PD, power Doppler; SDAI, Simplified Disease Activity Index; US, ultrasonography.