Characteristics of all participants on the study completion date stratified by normal/low morning salivary cortisol level
| All | Normal MSC | Low MSC | Statistic | |
| n (% total) | 76 | 47 (62% of 76) | 29 (38% of 76) | |
| Female, n (%) | 54 (71%) | 37 (79%) | 17 (59%) | Chi2(1)=3.52, p=0.060 |
| Age (years), median (IQR) | 69 (60–75) | 65 (58–73) | 69 (65–79) | KW(1)=5.14, p=0.023 |
| BMI, median (IQR) | 27.9 (23.7–31.2) | 28.3 (23.3–34.9) | 26.7 (24.1–29.6) | KW(1)=1.10, p=0.295 |
| Townsend score quintile | ||||
| 1 | 18% | 15% | 22% | |
| 2 | 35% | 39% | 30% | |
| 3 | 24% | 20% | 30% | |
| 4 or 5* | 24% | 27% | 19% | Chi2(3)=2.12, p=0.547 |
| RA duration (years), median (IQR) | 7.5 (2.8–10.2) | 5.0 (2.3–8.9) | 9.6 (7.7–12.2) | KW(1)=9.72, p=0.002 |
| GP visits†, median (IQR) | 2 (1–5) | 2 (1–5) | 3 (2–7) | KW(1)=1.38, p=0.233 |
| DMARD prescription‡ | 86% | 87% | 83% | Chi2(1)=0.29, p=0.590 |
| Current oral GC user (%) | 50% | 28% | 86% | Chi2(1)=24.59, p=0.000 |
| Current oral GC dose (mg), median (IQR) | 1 (0–5) | 0 (0–3) | 5 (5–10) | KW(1)=29.10, p=0.0001 |
| Total time exposed to oral GCs‡ (weeks), median (IQR) | 50.6 (8.9–101.3) | 23.9 (4.9–78.9) | 97.4 (52.1–104.4) | KW(1)=10.64, p=0.001 |
| Non-oral GC in past 12 weeks (%) | 36% | 30% | 45% | Chi2(1)=1.77, p=0.183 |
Eight participants were missing Townsend score, eight participants were missing BMI.
*Minimum cell count=5.
†In past year.
‡In past 2 years.
BMI, Body Mass Index; Chi2, chi-squared; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; GC, glucocorticoid; GP, general practitioner; KW, Kruskal-Wallis; MSC, morning salivary cortisol level; n, number; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.