Characteristics | Exposed Group, n = 646 | Unexposed Group, n = 498 | p |
---|---|---|---|
Age, yrs | 58.3 ± 13.2 | 61.4 ± 12.8 | < 0.001 |
Women, % | 82.0 | 83.3 | 0.568 |
Disease duration, yrs | 9.5 ± 8.6 | 9.2 ± 9.2 | 0.654 |
Steinbrocker stage (III or IV), % | 55.1 | 43.8 | < 0.001 |
DAS28 (3/CRP) | 3.9 ± 1.0, n = 642 | 2.8 ± 1.0, n = 495 | < 0.001 |
MTX use, % | 69.0 | 60.2 | 0.002 |
MTX dose, mg/wk | 7.6 ± 2.2 | 6.4 ± 2.0 | < 0.001 |
MTX dose > 8 mg/wk, % | 11.1 | 5.0 | < 0.001 |
Use of immunosuppressive drugs, except for MTX, %* | 3.7 | 20.5 | < 0.001 |
Corticosteroid use, %** | 71.4 | 62.0 | 0.001 |
Prednisolone dose, mg/day | 5.7 ± 3.0 | 4.6 ± 2.1 | < 0.001 |
> 7.5 mg prednisolone/day, % | 13.6 | 3.1 | < 0.001 |
No of failed DMARD | 1.6 ± 1.1 | 1.3 ± 1.1 | < 0.001 |
Chronic pulmonary disease, %*** | 21.4 | 16.7 | 0.046 |
Diabetes, % | 10.7 | 6.8 | 0.024 |
↵* Including tacrolimus, leflunomide, mizoribine, and cyclosporine.
↵** Converted to corresponding prednisolone dosage.
↵*** Including interstitial pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, prior pulmonary tuberculosis, and bronchiectasis. DAS28: 28-joint count Disease Activity Score; CRP: C-reactive protein; MTX: methotrexate; DMARD: disease-modifying antirheumatic drug.
† Number of DMARD that were tried but did not bring about a response.