Table 2

Determinants of maintaining treatment unchanged

Odds ratio

95% confidence interval

P value

Patient's global assessment of disease activity

0.15

0.11 to 0.21

< 0.0001

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

0.49

0.37 to 0.65

< 0.0001

Number of tender joints

0.34

0.23 to 0.49

< 0.0001

Number of swollen joints

0.004

0.003 to 0.005

< 0.0001

Interaction (number of tender joints × number of swollen joints)

2.06

1.51 to 2.82

< 0.0001

Determined using multivariate logistic regression, n = 7,224. Overall, all 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) components are significant determinants of the decision to maintain treatment unchanged. All variables are transformed according to the DAS28 formula.

de Bandt et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009 11:R157   doi:10.1186/ar2836