Table 1

Patient characteristics at study entry (N=250)*

Age, years51.0±13.7
Women195 (78%)
White, non-Hispanic102 (40.8%)
Hispanic73 (29.2%)
Black56 (22.4%)
Asian17 (6.8%)
Multiethnic2 (0.8%)
Formal education, years13 (12, 16)
Duration of RA, years6.4 (2.2, 14.5)
Seropositive188 (75.2%)
Erosive141 (63.8%)†
Swollen joint count (0–66)15 (9, 22)
Swollen joint count (0–28)11 (7, 16)
Tender joint count (0–68)22 (13, 35)
Tender joint count (0–28)14 (8, 21)
Physician global assessment (0–100)48.2±17.5
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/h)40±27
C-reactive protein (mg/L)7.4 (4.0, 19.5)
Medications at entry
Methotrexate87 (35%)
Hydroxychloroquine64 (25.7%)
Sulfasalazine24 (9.6%)
Leflunomide16 (6.4%)
Prednisone88 (35%)
Tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors28 (11.2%)
Other biologics2 (0.8%)
Study treatment group
Dose escalation104 (41.6%)
Prednisone initiation56 (22.4%)
DMARD initiation90 (36%)
  • * Plus–minus values are mean±SD. N (N, N) values are median (25th, 75th percentile). All other values are number (percentage)

  • † Of 221 patients with radiographs.

  • RA, rheumatoid arthritis.