Baseline characteristics of all arthralgia patients as well as separated for short and prolonged patient delay and for patients with and without arthritis
| Patient delay | Arthritis at examination | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All arthralgia patients | <4 weeks | >4 weeks | Present | Absent | |
| N=612 | N=242 | N=245 | N=272 | N=340 | |
| Female (n (%)) | 426 (69.6) | 157 (64.9) | 174 (71.0) | 177 (65.1) | 249 (73.2)* |
| Age, years, mean±SD | 50.6 (16.3) | 49.5 (17.0) | 49.1 (15.5) | 51.9 (17.1) | 49.6 (15.5) |
| Gradual onset symptoms, n (%) | 394 (64.4) | 103 (42.6) | 192 (78.4)* | 165 (60.7) | 229 (67.4) |
| Morning stiffness, minutes | 20 (10–60) | 17.5 (10–60) | 30 (10–60) | 30 (12.5–60) | 15 (10–60)* |
| Patient reported TJC | 8 (4–12) | 6 (2–14.25) | 9 (4.25–18)* | 7 (3–15) | 9 (5–19)* |
| HAQ (0–3) | 0.63 (0.25–1.13) | 0.75 (0.38–1.25) | 0.5 (0.25–0.88)* | 0.75 (0.38–1.38) | 0.63 (0.25–1.13)* |
| Arthritis at examination, n (%) | 272 (44.4) | 137 (56.6) | 95 (38.8)* | ||
Unless otherwise stated values are median (IQR).
Missing values for patients with PD<4 weeks and patients with PD>4 weeks: onset complaints n=5 and n=5, duration morning stiffness n=116 and n=84, self-reported TJC n=0 and n=1, and HAQ n=27 and n=19. Missing values for arthritis patients and patients without arthritis: onset complaints n=6 and n=10, duration morning stiffness n=115 and n=134, self-reported TJC n=0 and n=1, and HAQ n=30 and n=24.
*p Value<0.05.
HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; PD, patient delay; TJC, tender joint count 68.