Characteristics of 609 incident patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosed in 1955–1994 and 464 incident patients with RA diagnosed in 1995–2007. Except where indicated otherwise, values are the number (%) of patients. Percentages for “ever during followup” are estimates of cumulative incidence at 10 years of followup.
| Variable | RA 1955–1994, n = 609 | RA 1995–2007, n = 464 |
|---|---|---|
| Age, mean ± SD yrs | 58.0 ± 15.1 | 55.6 ± 15.5 |
| Female | 445 (73) | 320 (69) |
| Length of followup, mean ± SD yrs | 12.7 ± 9.4 | 5.9 ± 3.5 |
| Rheumatoid factor positivity | 392 (65) | 306 (66) |
| Infection risk score at RA incidence | 2.6 ± 2.1 | 3.3 ± 3.0 |
| Ever-smoker | 317 (55) | 235 (51) |
| Diabetes mellitus | ||
| At RA incidence | 25 (4) | 48 (10) |
| Ever during followup | 63 (9) | 77 (21) |
| Chronic lung disease | ||
| At RA incidence | 67 (11) | 74 (16) |
| Ever during followup | 113 (20) | 99 (24) |
| Alcoholism | ||
| At RA incidence | 13 (2) | 37 (8) |
| Ever during followup | 42 (6) | 41 (9) |
| Ischemic heart disease | ||
| At RA incidence | 20 (3) | 25 (5) |
| Ever during followup | 73 (13) | 46 (14) |
| Cancer | ||
| At RA incidence | 24 (4) | 28 (6) |
| Ever during followup | 72 (13) | 63 (20) |
| Leukopenia, ever during followup | 102 (15) | 56 (18) |
| Extraarticular RA*, ever during followup | 78 (8) | 22 (6) |
| Medication use, ever during followup | ||
| Methotrexate | 133 (18) | 299 (73) |
| Hydroxychloroquine | 221 (37) | 297 (68) |
| Other nonbiological DMARD | 215 (36) | 104 (30) |
| Biologic agents | 3 (0.2) | 96 (29) |
| Corticosteroid (PO or IV) | 312 (46) | 376 (90) |
↵* Includes pericarditis, pleuritis, Felty’s syndrome, glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy, scleritis, and episcleritis. DMARD: disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; PO: by mouth; IV: intravenously.