Estimated mean differences in patient-reported outcomes during follow-up (1–3 years) for MDA groups
| Sustained MDA (n=104) | Non-sustained MDA (n=60) | No MDA (n=76) | |||
| β (95% CI) | Bonferroni corrected P value* | β (95% CI) | Bonferroni corrected P value* | ||
| Pain (VAS) | Ref | 15.80 (10.71 to 20.89) | <0.001 | 35.38 (30.57 to 40.18) | <0.001 |
| Fatigue (BRAF-MDQ) | Ref | 7.87 (4.40 to 11.33) | <0.001 | 17.88 (14.60 to 21.16) | <0.001 |
| Functional ability (HAQ-DI) | Ref | 0.31 (0.19 to 0.43) | <0.001 | 0.81 (0.70 to 0.92) | <0.001 |
| Health status (EQ-5D-5L) | Ref | −0.07 (−0.12 to −0.03) | 0.048 | −0.23 (−0.28 to −0.18) | <0.001 |
| PCS (SF-36) | Ref | −6.77 (−8.77 to −4.78) | <0.001 | −13.51 (−15.41 to 11.62) | <0.001 |
| MCS (SF-36) | Ref | −3.07 (−5.64 to −0.50) | 0.37 | −7.51 (−9.95 to −5.08) | <0.001 |
| Anxiety (HADS) | Ref | 1.34 (0.26 to 2.42) | 0.28 | 3.26 (2.25 to 4.27) | <0.001 |
| Depression (HADS) | Ref | 1.30 (0.30 to 2.30) | 0.21 | 4.04 (3.10 to 4.99) | <0.001 |
β shows the estimated mean difference comparing the sustained MDA group with the other two groups over the course of 1–3 years of follow-up.
All analyses were adjusted for age, sex and swollen joint count.
A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant and is shown in bold.
*n=19.
BRAF-MDQ, Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue-Multidimensional Questionnaire; EQ-5D-5L, European Quality of life 5-Dimensions 5-Levels; HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HAQ-DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index; MCS, Mental Component Summary; MDA, Minimal Disease Activity; PCS, Physical Component Summary; SF-36, 36-item Short Form Health Survey; VAS, Visual Analogue Scale.