Table 1.

Patient demographics at baseline.

Age, yrs
  Median50
  IQR42–56
  Range20–73
Men, %59.1
Years since diagnosis, n = 98
  Median11
  IQR6–18
  Range0–35
Swollen joints, n = 124
  Median6
  IQR3–11
  Range0–30
Tender joints, n = 123
  Median7
  IQR4–13
  Range0–35
Patient’s global (100 mm VAS), n = 121
  Median59
  IQR42–75
  Range3–100
Pain (100 mm VAS), n = 123
  Median62
  IQR45–75
  Range3–100
HAQ score, n = 114
  Median1.0
  IQR0.63–1.5
  Range0–3
ESR, mm/h, n = 123
  Median29
  IQR13–62
  Range2–100
CRP, mg/l, n = 122
  Median20
  IQR6–43
  Range1–218
Doctor’s global (100 mm VAS*), n = 118
  Median50
  IQR45–75
  Range5–100
No. concomitant DMARD (n = 125), %
  016.0
  148.8
  229.6
  35.6
Continuous use of oral corticosteroid (n = 125), %40.0
Use of NSAID (n = 125), %
  Continuously43.2
  Temporarily as needed35.2
  Not used21.6
Use of analgesics (n = 125), %
  Continuously8.8
  Temporarily as needed6.4
  Not used84.8

  • IQR: interquartile range; VAS: visual analog scale; HAQ: Health Assessment Questionnaire; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP: C-reactive protein; DMARD: disease modifying antirheumatic drug; NSAID: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug.

  • ↵* Up to year 2004, register forms had a 5-grade Likert scale, which has been converted to 100-mm VAS: grade 1: 0 mm, grade 2: 25 mm, grade 3: 50 mm, grade 4: 75 mm, grade 5: 100 mm.