Table 2

Patient characteristics stratified according to use of glucocorticoids

Use of GCs (n = 57)

No use of GCs (n = 90)

Age at delivery in years, mean (SD)

33.15 (3.80)

31.93 (3.67)

Disease duration in years, median (range)

6.07 (0.22-28.57)

5.18 (0.14-28.54)

Gestational age at delivery in weeks, mean (SD)

38.44 (2.30)

39.85 (1.27)^f

Anti-CCP positive, n (%)

39 (68.4)

51 (56.7)

Rheumatoid factor (IgM) positive, n (%)

47 (82.5)

63 (70.0)

Presence of erosions, n (%)

49 (86)

56 (62.2)^f

Dosage of prednisone (mg/day), median (range)

7.5 (2.5-20)

-

Number of DMARDs before conception, median (range)

2 (0-5)

1 (0-4)^f

Breastfeeding (6 weeks postpartum), n (%)

13 (22.8)

47 (52.2)^f

DAS28 ≥3.2 in first trimester, n (%)^a

33 (70.2)

38 (55.9)

Moderate/good response during pregnancy, n (%)^b

15 (45.5)

17 (43.6)

Very early flare, n (%)^c

9 (17.3)

18 (21.7)

Early flare, n (%)^d

9 (18.0)

20 (24.4)

Late flare, n (%)^e

10 (21.3)

27 (35.5)

^aIn 115 patients, DAS28 in the first trimester was available. ^bAccording to EULAR response criteria, DAS28 ≥3.2 in the first trimester is required, n = 71 of 115. ^cData were available in 135 patients, ^d132 patients, and ^e123 patients, according to reversed EULAR response criteria. ^fP < 0.05 as compared with patients using GCs. Anti-CCP, anti-cyclic citrullinated protein.

DMARDs, Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, excluding prednisone.

Quax et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2012 14:R183   doi:10.1186/ar4014