Table 4

Baseline clinical and biological features in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis according to the presence of radiological erosions at enrollment

Early erosions

Absence of early erosion

Univariate analysis:

P value

Multivariate analysis:

OR (95% CI), P value

n = 138

n = 377

Initial DAS28

5.4 (4.6–6.4)

5.2 (4.3–6.5)

0.1

ESR, mm at 1st hour

29.5 (13.0–54.0)

20.5 (11.0–36.0)

0.002

1.1 (0.9–1.3), 0.4

CRP, mg/L

11.0 (4.0–33.1)

9.0 (0–22.0)

0.1

IgM-RF-positive

63.7%

52.5%

0.03

0.7 (0.4–1.3), 0.2

IgA-RF-positive

64.5%

45.9%

0.0003

1.7 (1.1–2.7), 0.01

Anti-CCP-positive

61.6%

41.6%

<0.0001

2.3 (1.2–4.3), 0.008

BAFF, ng/mL

0.7 (0.5–0.9)

0.8 (0.5–1.0)

0.5

Beta2–microglobulin, mg/L

2.1 (1.7–2.4)

1.9 (1.7–2.4)

0.08

Total IgG, g/L

13.7 (12.0–15.6)

13.3 (11.5–15.9)

0.2

Total IgA, g/L

3.0 (2.1–3.7)

2.6 (1.9–3.4)

0.003

1.1 (0.9–1.2), 0.4

Total IgM, g/L

1.4 (1.1–2.1)

1.5 (1.1–2.1)

0.9

Kappa free light chain, mg/L

15.3 (11.9–20.7)

13.9 (10.4–17.9)

0.007

1.0 (0.9–1.1), 0.2

Lambda free light chain, mg/L

18.3 (13.5–23.4)

16.9 (12.8–21.9)

0.1

Results are expressed as median values (25th–75th values) or as percentages. Comparison of proportions of presence of IgM-RF, IgA-RF, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) used chi-square test, and comparison of the other variables used Mann-Whitney U test. Baseline markers associated on univariate analysis with early erosions (radiological erosions at enrollment) were analyzed in multivariate analysis. BAFF, B-cell activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family; CI, confidence interval; CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS28, disease activity score using 28 joint counts; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; OR, odds ratio; RF, rheumatoid factor.

Gottenberg et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009 11:R114   doi:10.1186/ar2773