Profile of patients with RA at 2-year followup, comparing lowest quartile to highest quartile. Data are mean ± SD or median (interquartile range) unless otherwise specified.
| Characteristic | Lowest Quartile Group, ACPA 4.5–32 U/ml | Highest Quartile Group, ACPA > 278 U/ml | p, Lowest vs Highest Quartile |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF, IU/ml | 120 ± 346 | 170 ± 224 | NS |
| ESR, mm/h | 34 ± 29 | 42 ± 30 | NS |
| CRP, mg/dl | 1.0 ± 1.5 | 0.9 ± 1.2 | NS |
| MMP-3, ng/ml | 163 ± 179 | 185 ± 180 | NS |
| No. swollen joints | 4 ± 4 | 5 ± 6 | NS |
| No. tender joints | 4 ± 5 | 4 ± 5 | NS |
| Grip strength, mm Hg | 193 ± 73 | 209 ± 74 | NS |
| Duration of morning stiffness, min | 29 ± 72 | 47 ± 102 | NS |
| DAS28-ESR (3) | 3.8 ± 1.3 | 4.1 ± 1.2 | NS |
| DAS28-CRP (3) | 3.1 ± 1.1 | 3.1 ± 1.2 | NS |
| Sharp score (narrowing) | 10.0 (3.5, 24.5) | 5.0 (2.0, 18.0) | 0.048 |
| Sharp score (erosion) | 16.0 (5.0, 27.0) | 12.0 (5.0, 34.0) | NS |
| Sharp score (total) | 26.5 (11.0, 51.5) | 19.0 (6.0, 49.5) | NS |
| No drugs, % | 1.43 | 1.43 | NS |
| MTX, % | 64.38 | 70.00 | NS |
| DMARD other than MTX, % | 32.85 | 40.00 | NS |
| Prednisolone, % | 41.42 | 46.51 | NS |
| Prednisone dose, mg/day | 4.52 ± 1.61 | 4.46 ± 2.98 | NS |
NS: not significant; ACPA: anticitrullinated protein antibody; RF: rheumatoid factor; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP: C-reactive protein; MMP-3: matrix metalloproteinase 3; DAS28: 28-joint Disease Activity Score; DMARD: disease-modifying drugs; MTX: methotrexate.