Table 1 Baseline demographics of participating patients

Age (years; mean ± SD)

61 ± 7

53 ± 14

57 ± 7

50 ± 11

55 ± 10

hsCRP (mg/l; median [range])

17.8 (1.6–95.3)

43.8 (5.8–89.3)

3.0 (2.0–43.4)

11.1 (1.5–28.4)

6.4 (0.2–66.2)

DAS28 (mean ± SD)

6.5 ± 0.8

6.6 ± 1.2

6.7 ± 1.5

6.2 ± 0.7

6.7 ± 0.6

Number of tender joints (mean ± SD)

17 ± 9.2

15 ± 6.2

22 ± 8.5

17 ± 7.3

20 ± 6.3

Number of swollen joints (mean ± SD)

13 ± 6.3

12 ± 4.3

12 ± 7.4

11 ± 4.8

12 ± 5.2

Methotrexate dose (n/mg median [range])^a

   Oral

6/17.5 (15–25)

5/15 (10–15)

4/15 (15–15)

13/15 (10–22.5)

5/15 (10–20)

   Parenteral

0

1/10 (10–10)

2/22.5 (20–25)

7/15 (10–22.5)

10/15 (10–25)