Table 1 Patient characteristics at the baseline visit

Female (%)

79.8%

Age (years)

59.9 ± 12.7

Disease duration (years)

11.5 ± 10.2

Rheumatoid factor positive(%)

59%

C-reactive protein (mg/dl)

2.1

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/hour)

25.9 ± 21.9

Swollen-joint count 28

2.1 ± 3.0

Tender-joint count 28

2.1 ± 3.8

Visual analogue scale pain (mm)

28.0 ± 22.4

Patient global assessment of disease activity (mm)

30.0 ± 23.3

Evaluator global assessment of disease activity (mm)

11.0 ± 13.7

Clinical disease activity index

8.3 ± 7.3

Simplified disease activity index

9.1 ± 7.7

Disease activity score 28

3.2 ± 1.2

Health-assessment questionnaire

0.81 ± 0.76

Euro QolL5D

0.77 ± 0.19

Physical component score SF-36

37.6 ± 11.3

Mental component score SF-36

48.0 ± 12.0

Patients currently employed (%)

26.5%

Activity impairment due to problem (%)

35.9 ± 26.7

Work time missed due to RA (%)

7.7 ± 24.5

Impairment while working due to problem (%)

27.8 ± 26.8

Overall work impairment due to RA (%)

2.7 ± 10.5