Table 2

Description of the characteristics of the 100 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients

Age, mean ± SD years

57.7 ± 15.4

Female sex, n (%)

61 (61.0)

Symptom duration, median (IQR) weeks

12.0 (8.0 to 25.0)

Fulfillment of ACR 1987 criteria for RA, n (%)

81/97 (83.5)

RF positive, n (%)

61 (61.0)

Anti-CCP positive, n (%)

58/98 (59.2)

DAS28, mean ± SD

4.9 ± 1.1

No. of swollen joints (28 assessed), median (IQR)

7.0 (4.0 to 12.0)

No. of tender joints (28 assessed), median (IQR)

4.0 (2.0 to 10.0)

ESR, median (IQR) mm/hour

31.2 ± 18.5

CRP, median (IQR) mg/litre

11.5 (5.0 to 30.8)

Patient's assessment of general health, mean ± SD (0 to 100 VAS)

54.0 ± 22.5

Patient's assessment of pain, mean ± SD (0 to 100 VAS)

51.7 ± 23.0

HAQ score, mean ± SD

0.9 ± 0.7

SF-36 PCS score, mean ± SD

38.3 ± 10.0

SF-36 MCS score, mean ± SD

47.8 ± 12.6

ACR, American College of Rheumatology; anti-CCP, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide; CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS28, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; IQR, interquartile range; MCS, mental component summary; PCS, physical component summary; RF, rheumatoid factor; SD, standard deviation; SF-36, Short-Form 36 health survey; VAS, visual analog scale

Vermeer et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2012 14:R254   doi:10.1186/ar4099