Table 1

Baseline characteristics of study population stratified by study group

RLC (n=90)NLC (n=91)
Women, n (%)67 (74.44)67 (73.63)
Age, years, mean (SD)57.27 (12.20)60.20 (11.26)
Disease duration, years, mean (SD) (89; 90)*10.21 (11.47)9.57 (9.84)
Comorbidities, n (%)
 Osteoarthritis4 (4.44)5 (5.49)
 Osteoporosis16 (17.78)9 (9.89)
 Hypertension19 (21.11)20 (21.98)
 Asthma7 (7.78)6 (6.59)
 Depression3 (3.33)1 (1.10)
 Hypothyroidism6 (6.67)1 (1.10)
Baseline RA regimen, n (%)
 Methotrexate57 (63.33)62 (68.13)
 Sulfasalazine16 (17.78)9 (9.89)
 Hydroxychloroquine4 (4.44)3 (3.30)
 Leflunomide6 (6.67)4 (4.40)
 Prednisolone11 (12.22)6 (6.59)
 Biological DMARD6 (6.67)15 (16.48)
Outcomes, mean (SD)
 DAS28 (86; 88)*3.89 (1.54)3.65 (1.24)
 Pain (0–100 VAS, 0=no pain) (86; 87)*39.33 (21.26)43.29 (23.77)
 Fatigue (0–100 VAS, 0=no fatigue) (86; 87)*49.58 (25.09)49.92 (24.50)
 Stiffness (0 –240 Min, 0=no stiffness) (84; 87)*50.50 (63.42)43.78 (55.50)
 RAQoL (0–30, 0=better quality of life) (76; 78)*13.54 (7.05)13.33 (8.09)
 HAQ (0–3, 0=no disability) (86; 83)*1.25 (0.76)1.19 (0.77)
 Anxiety (0–21, 0=no anxiety) (87; 84)*7.56 (4.24)7.13 (3.83)
 Depression (0–21, 0=no depression) (87; 84)*6.20 (3.74)5.94 (3.84)
 ASES (11–110, 11=poor self-efficacy) (85; 84)*55.53 (17.49)59.14 (18.98)
Satisfaction, median (IQR)
 LSQ–General (1–5), 1=dissatisfied) (86; 83)*2.7 (2.3, 3.4)2.7 (2.3, 3.7)
 LSQ–Information (1–5), 1=dissatisfied) (86; 83)*3.2 (3.0, 3.5)3.0 (2.9, 3.7)
 LSQ–Empathy (1–5), 1=dissatisfied) (86; 83)*3.1 (3.0, 3.6)3.0 (2.9, 3.6)
 LSQ–Technical (1–5), 1=dissatisfied) (86; 83)*3.2 (3.0, 4.0)3.1 (2.9, 4.0)
 LSQ–Attitude (1–5), 1=Dissatisfied) (86; 83)*3.2 (3.0, 3.7)3.2 (2.8, 3.8)
 LSQ–Access (1–5), 1=dissatisfied) (86; 83)*3.1 (3.0, 3.6)3.1 (3.0, 3.5)
  • ASES, arthritis self-efficacy scale; DAS28, disease activity score in 28 joints; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; HAQ: health assessment questionnaire disability index; LSQ, Leeds satisfaction questionnaire; NLC, nurse-led clinic; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RAQoL, rheumatoid arthritis quality of life; RLC, theumatologist-led clinic; VAS, visual analogue scale.

  • *Number of available data were as per randomised allocation that is, 90 for RLC and 91 for NLC unless otherwise stated in parentheses.