Profile of patients with RA at 2-year followup. Mean ± SD or median (interquartile range) unless otherwise specified.
| Characteristic | Negative Group, ACPA 0–4.4 U/ml | Low Group, ACPA 4.5–121 U/ml | High Group, ACPA > 122 U/ml | p, Negative vs Low | p, Negative vs High | p, Low vs High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RF, IU/ml | 21 ± 41 | 113 ± 291 | 159 ± 248 | 0.001 | 0.00001 | NS |
| ESR, mm/h | 24.4 ± 19.3 | 34.4 ± 27.7 | 37.9 ± 28.6 | 0.002 | 0.00001 | NS |
| CRP, mg/dl | 0.4 ± 0.6 | 1.0 ± 1.4 | 1.0 ± 1.4 | 0.0004 | 0.00001 | NS |
| MMP-3, ng/ml | 110 ± 109 | 162.3 ± 185.9 | 192.6 ± 185.8 | 0.01 | 0.00001 | NS |
| No. swollen joints | 2 ± 3 | 4 ± 5 | 5 ± 6 | 0.002 | 0.00001 | 0.02 |
| No. tender joints | 3 ± 4 | 4 ± 5 | 4 ± 5 | NS | 0.003 | NS |
| Grip strength, mm Hg | 224 ± 65 | 201 ± 72 | 202 ± 73 | 0.009 | 0.01 | NS |
| Duration of morning stiffness, min | 13 ± 28 | 34 ± 79 | 47 ± 93 | 0.03 | 0.0005 | NS |
| DAS28-ESR (3) | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 3.8 ± 1.3 | 4.1 ± 1.2 | 0.0004 | 0.00001 | NS |
| DAS28-CRP (3) | 2.5 ± 1.0 | 3.1 ± 1.1 | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 0.00001 | 0.00001 | NS |
| Sharp score (narrowing) | 2.0 (0.0, 5.5) | 8.5 (2.5, 21.0) | 7.8 (2.0, 19.0) | 0.00001 | 0.00001 | NS |
| Sharp score (erosion) | 3.0 (1.0, 8.0) | 12.0 (5.5, 29.0) | 13.5 (5.0, 31.5) | 0.00001 | 0.00001 | NS |
| Sharp score (total) | 6.0 (2.0, 12.0) | 23.0 (8.0, 47.3) | 21.5 (7.5, 52.0) | 0.00001 | 0.00001 | NS |
| No drugs, % | 13.0 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 0.001 | 0.004 | NS |
| MTX, % | 33.9 | 62.4 | 67.9 | 0.00001 | 0.00001 | NS |
| DMARD other than MTX, % | 30.4 | 34.8 | 37.9 | NS | NS | NS |
| Prednisolone, % | 33.0 | 38.3 | 40.7 | NS | NS | NS |
| Prednisolone dose, mg/day | 3.3 ± 1.9 | 4.2 ± 1.6 | 4.50 ± 2.5 | NS | NS | 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.