Table 6

Endothelial function during treatment in the longitudinal study

Baseline

2 weeks

12 weeks

Treatment effect

Degrees of freedom

Microvascular function

Endothelium-dependent (Ach%)

314 ± 214

423 ± 250^a

348 ± 209^b

F = 5.09, P = 0.01

2, 21

Endothelium-independent (SNP%)

247 ± 126

284 ± 147

261 ± 152

F = 1.18, P = 0.32

2, 21

Macrovascular function

Endothelium-dependent (FMD%)

9.4 ± 6.8

12.0 ± 10.0

12.0 ± 8.1

F = 1.60, P = 0.21

2, 19

Endothelium-independent (GTN%)

22 ± 7.4

23 ± 7.2

24 ± 7.2

F = 0.31, P = 0.74

2, 19

Results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. ^aDifferent from baseline. ^bDifferent from 2 weeks. Ach, acetylcholine; FMD, flow-mediated dilatation; GTN, glyceryl trinitrate-mediated dilatation; SNP, sodium nitroprusside.

Sandoo et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2012 14:R117   doi:10.1186/ar3847