Characteristic | Third TNF-blocking Agent, n = 64 | Rituximab, n = 90 | p |
---|---|---|---|
Female (%) | 46/64 (72) | 66/90 (73) | NS |
Age, yrs, mean (SD) | 53.3 (12.9) | 56.6 (12.2) | NS |
Disease duration, yrs, median (IQR) | 8.9 (9.2) | 10.9 (13.7) | NS |
Rheumatoid factor-positive (%) | 51/64 (80) | 69/90 (77) | NS |
No. previous DMARD, median (IQR) | 4.0 (2.0) | 4.0 (2.3) | NS |
DAS28, mean (SD)* | 5.1 (1.30) | 5.32 (1.25) | NS |
SJC28, mean (SD) | 9.4 (6.5) | 8.7 (5.8) | NS |
TJC28, mean (SD) | 9.0 (7.5) | 8.0 (6.3) | NS |
ESR, mm/h, median (IQR) | 26.0 (29.5) | 31.0 (28.5) | 0.049 |
CRP, mg/l, median (IQR) | 10.0 (24.5) | 16.0 (38.0) | NS |
VASGH, mean (SD) | 57.5 (26.9) | 60.8 (19.1) | NS |
HAQ, mean (SD)** | 1.51 (0.64) | 1.52 (0.78) | NS |
First TNF-blocking agent | |||
Infliximab (%) | 31 (48) | 38 (42) | NS |
Etanercept (%) | 9 (14) | 32 (36) | 0.003 |
Adalimumab (%) | 24 (38) | 20 (22) | 0.039 |
Second TNF-blocking agent | |||
Infliximab (%) | 12 (19) | 6 (7) | 0.021 |
Etanercept (%) | 33 (52) | 40 (44) | NS |
Adalimumab (%) | 19 (29) | 44 (49) | 0.017 |
Third TNF-blocking agent | |||
Infliximab (%) | 21 (33) | ||
Etanercept (%) | 22 (34) | ||
Adalimumab (%) | 21 (33) | ||
Concomitant therapy | |||
MTX (%) | 34/64 (53) | 42/86 (49) | NS |
Other DMARD (%) | 20/64 (31) | 19/86 (22) | NS |
Oral corticosteroids (%) | 24/64 (38) | 38/86 (44) | NS |
↵* DAS28, SJC28, TJC28, and ESR were missing in 17% (11/64), CRP was missing in 23% (15/64), and VASGH was missing in 36% (23/64) of patients receiving a third TNF-blocking agent. DAS28, SJC28, TJC28, and ESR were missing in 10% (9/90), CRP was missing in 12% (11/90), and VASGH was missing in 12% (11/90) of patients receiving rituximab.
↵** Missing in 34% (22/64) of patients receiving a third TNF-blocking agent and in 19% (17/90) of patients receiving rituximab. DMARD: disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; IQR: interquartile range; DAS28: Disease Activity Score on 28 joints; SJC: swollen joint count; TJC: tender joint count; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP: C-reactive protein; VASHG: visual analog scale for general health; HAQ: Health Assessment Questionnaire; TNF: tumor necrosis factor; MTX: methotrexate.