Comparison between patients with and without bone erosions for continuous variables (mean ± SD).
| Characteristic | Erosions | p | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | ||
| No. | 763 | 428 | |
| Age, yrs | 59.2 ± 11.0 | 58.4 ± 11.4 | NS |
| Height, cm | 161.4 ± 7.4 | 163.0 ± 7.8 | < 0.001 |
| Weight, kg | 65.2 ± 12.7 | 67.5 ± 13.1 | 0.004 |
| Body mass index, kg/m2 | 25.0 ± 4.5 | 25.4 ± 4.4 | NS |
| Calcium intake, mg/day | 771 ± 392 | 805 ± 391 | NS |
| Duration of RA, mo | 155 ± 107 | 107 ± 92 | < 0.001 |
| No. swollen joints | 3.3 ± 5.1 | 2.4 ± 4.0 | 0.003 |
| DAS28 | 4.06 ± 1.00 | 3.61 ± 0.93 | < 0.001 |
| Daily dose (mg prednisone equivalents) | 5.49 ± 3.43 | 5.00 ± 3.54 | NS |
| Cumulative glucocorticoid dose† (g prednisone equivalents) | 13.5 ± 15.2 | 8.5 ± 11.7 | < 0.001 |
| HAQ | 1.24 ± 0.86 | 0.96 ± 0.78 | < 0.001 |
| Mobility ADL score | 8.53 ± 3.80 | 7.71 ± 2.77 | < 0.001 |
| Serum 25OHD, ng/ml | 24.8 ± 15.4 | 23.9 ± 12.1 | NS |
| 21.7 ± 12.0* | 20.7 ± 9.2* | NS | |
| Serum PTH, pg/ml | 25.5 ± 14.4 | 23.7 ± 12.3 | 0.014 |
| 25.9 ± 14.0* | 23.1 ± 11.6* | 0.010 | |
| Lumbar spine BMD T score | −1.75 ± 1.24 | −1.50 ± 1.41 | 0.05 |
| Lumbar spine BMD Z score | −0.74 ± 1.19 | −0.46 ± 1.31 | 0.05 |
| Total hip BMD T score | −1.64 ± 1.08 | −1.10 ± 1.24 | < 0.001 |
| Total hip BMD Z score | −0.72 ± 1.07 | −0.15 ± 1.23 | < 0.001 |
↵* Subgroup of patients not on treatment with vitamin D supplements.
↵† subgroup of patients classified as users at the time of observation. RA: rheumatoid arthritis; DAS28: Disease Activity Score 28-joint count; HAQ: Health Assessment Questionnaire; ADL: activities of daily living; PTH: parathyroid hormone; BMD: bone mineral density; NS: nonsignificant, p > 0.05.