Table 2

Clinical assessments and outcomes at inclusion and during follow-up

Measure

Inclusion (n = 165)

18 months (n = 156)

30 months (n = 149)

Mean M-HAQ score (median)

0.93 ± 0.64 (0.875)

0.42 ± 0.50 (0.25)

0.35 ± 0.41 (0.25)

No. with M-HAQ ≥ 1.0 (%)

76 (46.1)

18 (11.6%)

17 (11.5%)

Mean DAS28-3 score (median)

5.01 ± 1.27 (4.94)

2.94 ± 1.26 (2.66)

2.81 ± 1.06 (2.46)

No. with DAS28-3 < 2.6 (%)

5 (3.0)

76 (48.7)

82 (55.0)

Mean swollen joint count (median)

12.55 ± 9.57 (10)

2.83 ± 5.51 (0)

2.04 ± 3.64 (0)

Number without synovitis (%)

n.a.

72 (46.2)

82 (55.0)

Number with persistent arthritis (%)

n.a.

137 (87.8)

125 (83.9)

No. fulfilling criteria for RA (%)

133 (80.6)

36 (23.1)

28 (18.8)

No. with severe arthritis (%)

106 (64.2)

65 (41.7)

56 (37.8)

Mean total SvH score (median)

6.05 ± 8.38 (4)

11.34 ± 13.82 (7)

15.76 ± 18.38 (10)

Mean erosion SvH score (median)

3.02 ± 4.99 (1)

6.94 ± 9.37 (4)

10.31 ± 13.14 (7)

Upper third of the total SvH score

>5

>10

>15

No. on DMARDs (%)

Total

31 (18.8)

120 (76.9)

116 (77.9)

RF-positive

13/68 (19.1)

60/63 (95.2)

60/61 (98.4)

Anti-CCP-positive

10/53 (18.9)

49/52 (94.2)

50/51 (98.0)

Anti-Sa-positive

6/46 (13.0)

43/45 (95.6)

44/44 (100.0)

CCP, cyclic citrullinated peptide; DAS28-3, Disease Activity Score using 28 joints and 3 variables (tender and swollen joint counts and C-reactive protein); M-HAQ, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire; n.a., not applicable; RF, rheumatoid factor; SvH, Sharp–van der Heijde. Where errors are shown, results are means ± SD.

Boire et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2005 7:R592   doi:10.1186/ar1719