Table 4

Laboratory and clinical parameters of the patients undergoing MTX or MTX plus infliximab therapy at baseline (first visit) and after six treatments (seventh visit)

MTX (n = 8)

MTX + infliximab (n = 15)

first visit

seventh visit

first visit

seventh visit

DAS 44

5.2 ± 0.4

4.4 ± 0.4*

5.8 ± 0.5

3.9 ± 0.5*

RF (IU)

210.1 ± 117.9

146.4 ± 80.4

396.2 ± 178.4

257.3 ± 142.8*

CRP (mg/dl)

0.8 ± 0.3

0.6 ± 0.2

1.8 ± 0.5

1.1 ± 0.3

ESR (mm/hour)

36.9 ± 5.4

31.9 ± 5.0

60.2 ± 8.1

44.2 ± 5.5*

SJC

19.6 ± 4.6

14.0 ± 3.0

21.9 ± 3.1

11.6 ± 2.4*

TJC

25.8 ± 4.9

16.0 ± 4.3*

27.0 ± 4.5

12.1 ± 3.4*

Data are means ± standard error of the mean.

* P < 0.05 between first and seventh visit.

CRP = C-reactive protein; DAS = disease activity score; ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate; MTX = methotrexate; RF = rheumatoid factor; SJC = swollen joints count; TJC = tender joints count.

Souto-Carneiro et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009 11:R84   doi:10.1186/ar2718