Baseline characteristics and disease evolution of the ESPOIR patients who received MTX or its equivalent, LEF, as a first-line biologic agent for RA, and radiographic structural damage progression during the first year in the cohort
| ESPOIR cohort patients who received MTX or LEF | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristics | All (n=370) | RRP+ (n=41) | RRP− (n=329) |
| Age, years | 49.4±11.4 (51.5) | 50.2±10.8 (52.1) | 49.3±11.5 (51.4) |
| Female sex | 271 (73.2%) | 31 (75.6%) | 240 (73%) |
| Disease duration, weeks* | 15.2±8.2 (13.6) | 18.6±8.4 (18.6) | 14.7±8.1 (13) |
| 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria | 316 (85.4%) | 38 (92.7%) | 278 (84.5%) |
| Swollen joint count in 28 joints | 7.9±5.4 (7) | 8.7±6.1 (8) | 7.8±5.3 (7) |
| Tender joint count in 28 joints | 8.7±6.9 (7) | 8.3±6.3 (7) | 8.7±6.9 (7) |
| ESR, mm/1st h | 32.7±25 (26) | 32.6±21.0 (30) | 32.7±25.4 (25) |
| CRP, mg/L | 24.8±37.7 (11) | 26.0±27.9 (14) | 24.6±38.7 (11) |
| DAS28 | 5.3±1.2 (5.2) | 5.3±1.2 (5.4) | 5.3±1.2 (5.2) |
| IgM RF positivity* | 204 (55.1%) | 29 (70.7%) | 175 (53.2%) |
| ACPA positivity* | 185 (50%) | 31 (75.6%) | 154 (46.8%) |
| HAQ score | 1.0±0.7 (1) | 1.0±0.6 (1) | 1.0±0.7 (1) |
| Typical RA erosion | 66 (17.8%) | 18 (44%) | 48 (14.6%) |
| Duration of DMARD during first year, months | 9.06± (3.07) | 9.07± (3.20) | 8.98± (3.06) |
| Concomitant glucocorticoids | 98 (26%) | 7 (17.1%) | 91 (27.7%) |
| vSHS baseline total score* | 4.5±6.8 (2) | 10.8±9.8 (9) | 3.7±5.8 (2) |
| ΔvSHS total | 1.6±5.4 (0) | 12.9±8.0 (10) | 0.2±2.8 (0) |
| Progressors (ΔvSHS≥1) | 126 (34.1%) | 41 (100%) | 85 (25.8%) |
*Significant difference between RRP+ and RRP− (p value <0.05).
Data are mean±SD (median) or no. (%).
ACPA, anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ELISA, DiaSorin, France; positive >50 U/mL); ACR/EULAR, American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism; CRP, C reactive protein (normally <10 mg/L); DAS28, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints; DMARD, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; LEF, leflunomide; MTX, methotrexate; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RF, rheumatoid factor (ELISA, Menarini, France; positive >9 UI/mL); RRP, rapid radiographic progression; vSHS, van der Heijde-modified Sharp score.