Table 1

Baseline characteristics of the early arthritis population: RA and UA patients

Baseline characteristics

RA (n = 123)

UA (n = 39)

P value

Age (years)^a

56.4 ± 15.0

53.8 ± 14.0

NS

Female (%)^b

86 (69.9)

26 (66.7)

NS

Disease duration (years)^c

0.4 (0.3 to 0.6)

0.4 (0.3 to 0.8)

NS

ESR (mm/hour)^a

36.7 ± 24.4

23.7 ± 21.0

<0.005

CRP (mg/dl)^c

19.5 (6.5 to 45.5)

6 (2 to 15)

<0.005

Anti-CCP2 positive (%)

68 (55.3)

3 (7.9)

<0.005

Anti-MCV positive (%)

73 (59.3)

3 (7.7)

<0.005

DAS28 score^a

5.1 ± 1.2

4.3 ± 1.2

<0.01

Sharp-van der Heijde score^c

2 (0 to 6)

0 (0 to 1)

<0.01

HAQ score^a

1.1 ± 0.7

0.8 ± 0.6

p < 0.05

Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation or as median (Interquartile range). ^aTested using Student's t-test. ^bTested using the χ² test. ^cTested using the Mann Whitney U-test. CCP2, second-generation cyclic citrullinated peptide; CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS28, Disease Activity Score of 28 joints; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; MCV, mutated citrullinated vimentin; NS, not significant; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; UA, undifferentiated arthritis.

Ursum et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008 10:R12   doi:10.1186/ar2362