Table 2

Results of FDG-PET/CT scans target to background ratio comparing subjects randomised to TNF inhibitors versus triple therapy

Arterial location assessed	Baseline		Follow-up		Differences (Δ=baseline to follow-up)
	TNFi	Triple therapy	TNFi	Triple therapy	ΔTNFi	ΔTriple therapy	TNFi versus triple therapy	P value
	Mean (SD)						β (95% CI)	P value
Primary outcome
MDS of index vessel*	2.72 (0.75)	2.62 (0.51)	2.47 (0.68)	2.43 (0.51)	−0.24 (0.51)	−0.19 (0.51)	−0.02 (−0.19 to 0.15)	0.79
Secondary outcomes†
MDS of aorta	2.67 (0.79)	2.64 (0.50)	2.50 (0.69)	2.47 (0.42)	−0.17 (0.52)	−0.17 (0.39)	0.01 (−0.14 to 0.17)	0.87
Aorta	2.46 (0.66)	2.48 (0.43)	2.45 (0.74)	2.42 (0.38)	−0.02 (0.43)	−0.06 (0.34)	0.03 (−0.11 to 0.18)	0.64
Bilateral carotids	2.13 (0.36)	2.21 (0.44)	2.07 (0.51)	2.11 (0.46)	−0.06 (0.48)	−0.10 (0.51)	−0.003 (−0.20 to 0.19)	0.98
Index vessel	2.51 (0.62)	2.45 (0.45)	2.43 (0.74)	2.38 (0.47)	−0.09 (0.43)	−0.07 (0.47)	−0.01 (−0.17 to 0.16)	0.94

Follow-up value is at study conclusion (approximately 24 weeks). Triple therapy refers to the use of weekly methotrexate, sulfasalazine 1000 mg two times per day, and hydroxychloroquine 200–400 mg per day. Counts of the number of individuals included in each analysis: TBR MDS—TNFi=58, triple therapy=57; aorta—TNFi=56, triple therapy=52; left carotid—TNFi=44, triple therapy=41; right carotid—TNFi=43, triple therapy=42; average carotid—TNFi=45, triple therapy=43.
*When vessel is not specified, the measurement refers to the index vessel with the most diseased segment.
†P values for the secondary outcomes are nominal and not corrected for multiple testing. All β estimates and p values are from ANCOVA models that estimate the change in TBR as a function of the baseline TBR, treatment group and the randomisation strata.
ANCOVA, analysis of covariance; FDG-PET/CT, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT scan; MDS, most disease segment examining right and left carotid arteries and aorta; TBR, target to background ratio; TNFi, TNF inhibitor.