Patient characteristics at first appointment with participating rheumatologist (n = 204).
| Characteristics | n | % |
|---|---|---|
| Female sex | 163 | 80 |
| White | 135 | 66 |
| Postsecondary education | 121 | 59 |
| Prescription drug plan | 168 | 82 |
| Positive family history of RA†† | 51 | 25 |
| Rheumatoid factor-positive | 125 | 61 |
| Baseline elevated CRP (n = 95) | 33 | 35 |
| Baseline elevated ESR (n = 194) | 57 | 29 |
| Started DMARD before seeing participating rheumatologist | 17 | 8 |
| Seen previously by another rheumatologist | 25 | 12 |
| Refused DMARD treatment | 10 | 5 |
| Age, yrs, mean* ± SD | 55 ± 15.5 | |
| Baseline tender joint count, median (IQR) | 11 (5–20) | |
| Baseline swollen joint count, median (IQR) | 5 (2–10) | |
| Comorbidity score**, mean (range) | 5.5 (1–18) | |
| Modified comorbidity score†, mean (range) | 1.61 (0–7) | |
| Time since symptom onset, yrs, median* (IQR) | 2.65 (1.8–3.6) | |
| Time since diagnosis of RA, yrs, median* (IQR) | 1.88 (1.2–2.6) | |
↵* Taken at time of interview.
↵** Based on Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (range 1–36)29.
↵† Based on Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (range 1–12) but including only diseases and excluding RA.
↵†† Family history in first-degree relative based on patient interview. RA: rheumatoid arthritis; CRP: C-reactive protein; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; DMARD: disease-modifying antirheumatic drug.