Baseline characteristics of patients with RA
| MTX continue (n=156) | MTX hold (n=160) | |
| Female (%) | 129 (82.7%) | 140 (87.5%) |
| Age, years | 52.2±9.5 | 53.7±10.3 |
| Duration of RA, years | 6.8±6.5 | 6.9±6.2 |
| RF positivity | 120/154 (77.9%) | 132/157 (84.1%) |
| ACPA positivity | 105/121 (86.8%) | 111/135 (82.2%) |
| DAS28-CRP | 2.2±0.9 | 2.3±1.1 |
| Treatment | ||
| GC | 82 (52.6%) | 74 (46.3%) |
| Mean GC dose, mg/day | 1.8±2.1 | 1.7±2.1 |
| MTX | 156 (100%) | 160 (100%) |
| MTX dose, mg/week | 13.3±3.4 | 13.1±3.2 |
| Sulfasalazine | 8 (5.1%) | 10 (6.3%) |
| Hydroxychloroquine | 35 (22.4%) | 31 (19.4%) |
| Leflunomide | 33 (21.2%) | 37 (23.1%) |
| Tacrolimus | 2 (1.3%) | 2 (1.3%) |
| Biological DMARDs | ||
| TNF inhibitor | 11 (7.1%) | 13 (8.1%) |
| Abatacept | 1 (0.6%) | 6 (3.8%) |
| Tocilizumab | 4 (2.6%) | 7 (4.4%) |
| Rituximab | 1 (0.6%) | 1 (0.6%) |
| Tofacitinib | 0 (0%) | 1 (0.6%) |
Numbers are in n (%) or mean±SD.
ACPA, anticyclic citrullinated peptide-antibody; BAFF, B-cell activation factor; CRP, C reactive protein; DAS28, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints; DMARD, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs; GC, glucocorticoids; MTX, methotrexate; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RF, rheumatoid factor; TNF, tumour necrosis factor.