Baseline demographic and disease characteristics
| Total (n=131) | Intervention (n=64) | Control (n=67) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years), median (IQR) | 65 (55 to 71) | 65 (55 to 71) | 64 (55 to 71) |
| Female, n (%) | 90 (69) | 49 (77) | 41 (61) |
| Disease duration (years), median (IQR) | 3 (1 to 22) | 3 (1 to 9) | 5 (2 to 12) |
| RF positive, n (%) | 67 (51) | 34 (51) | 33 (49) |
| Positive anti-CCP, n (%) | 95 (73) | 46 (72) | 49 (73) |
| DAS28, median (IQR) | 3.5 (2.6 to 5.0) | 3.5 (2.6 to 5.0) | 3.4 (2.7 to 4.7) |
| HAQ, median (IQR) | 0.4 (0.1 to 0.8) | 0.4 (0.1 to 0.8) | 0.5 (0.1 to 1.0) |
| CRP (mg/L), median (IQR) | 3 (2 to 5) | 3 (2 to 5) | 3 (1 to 7) |
| ESR (mm/h), median (IQR) | 12 (8 to 18) | 12 (8 to 18) | 14 (8 to 24) |
| VAS general health, median (IQR) | 22 (11 to 43) | 22 (10 to 42) | 26 (11 to 42) |
| VAS pain, median (IQR) | 23 (11 to 43) | 23 (11 to 43) | 24 (10 to 42) |
| Methotrexate treatment, n (%) | 105 (80) | 51 (80) | 54 (81) |
| Hydroxychloroquine treatment, n (%) | 6 (5) | 2 (3) | 4 (6) |
| Sulfasalazine treatment, n (%) | 13 (10) | 8 (13) | 5 (7) |
| Leflunomide treatment, n (%) | 3 (2) | 0 (0) | 3 (4) |
| Biologics treatment, n (%) | 31 (23.7) | 11 (18) | 20 (30) |
| Prednisone treatment, n (%) | 51 (39) | 28 (44) | 23 (34) |
| Prednisone dose*, mg, median (IQR) | 5 (2.5 to 7.5) | 5 (2.5 to 7.5) | 5 (5 to 6.25) |
| Combination treatment†, n (%) | 7 (5.3) | 3 (4.7) | 4 (6.0) |
*For patients receiving prednisone treatment.
†Combination of DMARD, biologics and prednisone.
Anti-CCP, anticyclic citrullinated peptide; CRP, C reactive protein; DAS28, Disease Activity Score 28; DMARD, disease modifying antirheumatic drug; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; RF, rheumatoid factor; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; VAS, Visual Analogue Scale.