Anti-TNF-α therapy n=20 | Rituximab therapy n=6 | |
---|---|---|
Age at study entry (years) | 62.8±12.2 | 70.1±11.2 |
Gender (female, %) | 19 (95) | 6 (100) |
Disease duration (years) | 11.0±6.6 | 11.3±7.6 |
RF (IU/mL) | 155.0±231.9 | 232.1±363.0 |
Anti-CCP antibody (units) | 132.7±104.3 | 88.9±72.8 |
DAS28 | 5.3±1.3 | 5.3±1.6 |
ESR (mm/h) | 48.8±25.4 | 30.2±14.7 |
CRP (mg/dL) | 0.82±0.84 | 0.47±0.41 |
Daily prednisolone dose (mg) | 4.7±3.5 | 5.4±1.0 |
Methotrexate (%) | 6 (30) | 0 (0) |
Hydroxychloroquine (%) | 13 (65) | 4 (66.7) |
Sulfasalazine (%) | 3 (15) | 1 (16.7) |
Duration of biological therapy (months) | 23.4±13.7 | 36.2±22.7 |
*Values are mean±SD or the number (%) of patients.
CCP, cyclic citrullinated peptide; CRP, C reactive protein; DAS28, disease activity score for 28-joints; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HCV, hepatitis C virus; RF, rheumatoid factor; TNF-α, tumour necrosis factor α.