Table 1

Characteristic of patients newly and chronically treated with MTX

Characteristic

RA patients

Newly MTX treated

Chronically MTX treated

Age (years)

48.5 ± 5.89

59.58 ± 2.42

Disease duration (years)

4.37 ± 2.07

6.6 ± 0.97

CRP (mg/l)

10.75 ± 2.01

9.04 ± 1.65

ESR (mm/hour)

31.75 ± 0.63

33.3 ± 4.39

Swollen joint count

13.25 ± 2.56

3.19 ± 0.88

Tender joint count

10.5 ± 2.63

5 ± 0.86

Patient global assessment (VAS)

32.26 ± 4.41

CRP (DAS28-4)

3.23 ± 0.31

ESR (DAS28-4)

4.11 ± 0.3

Values are expressed as mean ± standard error. CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS, Disease Activity Score; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; MTX, methotrexate; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; VAS, visual analogue scale.

Ochaion et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2006 8:R169   doi:10.1186/ar2078