Baseline and followup characteristics. Data are median (interquartile range) unless otherwise indicated.
| Characteristics | RA, n = 94 | Controls, n = 42 | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, yrs, mean ± SD | 56 ± 11 | 57 ± 11 | 0.71 |
| Male, n (%) | 18 (19) | 10 (24) | 0.54 |
| Systolic blood pressure, mm Hg, mean ± SD | 121 ± 11 | 120 ± 7 | 0.54 |
| Diastolic blood pressure, mm Hg, mean ± SD | 70 ± 9 | 70 ± 6 | 0.63 |
| HbA1c, %, mean ± SD | 5.5 ± 0.3 | 5.5 ± 0.3 | 0.31 |
| Total cholesterol, mg/dl | 187 ± 26 | 187 ± 15 | 0.95 |
| LDL-C, mg/dl, mean ± SD | 102 ± 22 | 101 ± 13 | 0.83 |
| HDL-C, mg/dl, mean ± SD | 63 ± 15 | 65 ± 10 | 0.34 |
| Triglycerides, mg/dl | 116 (92–133) | 101 (90–120) | 0.11 |
| RA duration, mos | 15 (7–72) | ||
| RF > 40 units, n (%) | 59 (63) | ||
| anti-CCP > 20 units, n (%) | 67 (71) | ||
| DAS28, units, mean ± SD | 4.9 ± 1.2 | ||
| SJC | 4 (2–6) | ||
| TJC | 4 (2–6) | ||
| SDAI, units | 22.0 (14.3–30.0) | ||
| CRP, mg/dl | 2.0 (0.8–3.4) | ||
| ESR, mm/h | 34 (20–52) | ||
| MMP-3, ng/ml | 150 (107–277) | ||
| VAS, mm | 50 (30–75) | ||
| mVAS, mm | 58 (40–70) | ||
| HAQ, units | 0.25 (0.12–0.94) | ||
| Any DMARD, n (%) | 76 (81) | ||
| MTX, n (%) | 66 (70) | ||
| MTX dose, mg | 8 (8–10) | ||
| Other DMARD, n (%) | 14 (15) | ||
| Prednisolone, n (%) | 45 (48) | ||
| Prednisolone dose (users), mg/day | 5 (4–5) | ||
| Change in DAS28, units, mean ± SD | −2.93 ± 1.31* | ||
| EULAR good response, n (%) | 74 (79)* | ||
| Low disease activity, n (%) | 80 (85)* | ||
| Remission, n (%) | 75 (80)* | ||
| SJC ≤ 1 joint, n (%) | 67 (71)* | ||
| % change, mean ± SD | −59 ± 20* | ||
| Change in CRP, mg/dl | −2.0 (−3.4 to −0.8)* | ||
| Change in ESR, mm/h | −24 (−47 to −14)* | ||
| Change in MMP-3, ng/ml | −85 (−197 to −27)* | ||
| Change in VAS, mm | −30 (−50 to −10)* | ||
| Change in HAQ, units | −0.12 (−0.44 to 0)* | ||
| Change in prednisolone dose, mg/day | −2 (−4 to −1) | ||
| Stopped prednisolone, n (%) | 13 (14) |
↵* P value < 0.05 for change between baseline and Week 24. RA: rheumatoid arthritis; HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; RF: rheumatoid factor; anti-CCP: anticyclic citrullinated peptide; DAS28: 28-joint count Disease Activity Score; SDAI: Simplified Disease Activity Index; CRP: C-reactive protein; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; MMP: matrix metalloproteinase; VAS: visual analog scale; mVAS: modified VAS; DMARD: disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; HAQ: Health Assessment Questionnaire; MTX: methotrexate; EULAR: European League Against Rheumatism; SJC: swollen joint count; TJC: tender joint count.