Table 2

Evolution of DMARD treatment and disease during the first year for ESPOIR patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

First DMARD

Treatment at 1 year

Type

N

Delay between RA onset and DMARD start (weeks)^a

N

DAS28(ESR)-4v at baseline

DAS28(ESR)-4v at 1 year

Methotrexate^b

335

26.7 ± 11.6 (24.3)

Methotrexate

302

5.3 ± 1.3 (5.2)

3.2 ± 2.7 (3.0)

35 ± 15.3 (39.4)

Other synthetic DMARD(s)^c

19

5.3 ± 1.4 (5.3)

4.1 ± 1.5 (4.1)

30.5 ± 0.7 (21.6)

Biologic agent^d

11

5.7 ± 0.4 (5.5)

3.9 ± 0.9 (4.2)

Leflunomide

35

48.9 ± 11.6 (46.9)

Methotrexate

9

5.8 ± 1.3 (5.6)

4.0 ± 2.7 (2.9)

22.5 ± 15.3 (20.7)

Other synthetic DMARD(s)

24

5.4 ± 1.4 (5.5)

3.3 ± 1.5 (3.0)

37.8 ± 0.7 (37.8)

Biologic agent^d

2

5.9 ± 0.4 (5.9)

4.2 ± 0.9 (4.2)

Data are mean ± SD (median). ^aDelay between RA onset and DMARD start (weeks) (P = 0.479): Methotrexate: 27.2 ± 15.1 (24.7); Leflunomide: 30.1 ± 18.1 (24.6); ^bat one year: one patient did not receive any DMARDs and data for two patients were not available; ^cleflunomide or salazopyrine; ^dadalinumab, etanercept, infliximab or anakinra. DAS28(ESR)-4v, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints-4 variables, using erythrocyte sedimentation rate; DMARD, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs; N, number.

Fautrel et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2012 14:R249   doi:10.1186/ar4092