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Table 4 Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of the study population (NCEP 2004 definition used)

From: Methotrexate therapy associates with reduced prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis patients over the age of 60- more than just an anti-inflammatory effect? A cross sectional study

 

Total (n = 387)

MetS present (n = 156)

MetS abscent

(n = 232)

P value

General demographics

    

   Age (years)

63.1 (55.5 to 69.6)

65.3 (58.2 to 69.8)

61.4 (51.9 to 75.4)

0.001

   Sex female n (%)

282 (72.9)

110 (71)

172 (74.1)

0.429

RA characteristics

    

   General characteristics

    

   RF positive n (%)

287 (75.9)

121 (79.1)

166 (73.8)

0.236

   Anti-CCP positive n (%)

250 (67.6)

101 (68.2)

149 (67.1)

0.821

   Disease duration (years)

10 (4 to 18)

9 (4 to 18.5)

10 (4 to 17)

0.008

   Disease activity

    

   CRP (mg/L)

8 (5 to 20)

9 (5 to 20)

8 (4 to 18)

0.155

   ESR

21 (9 to 37)

23 (15 to 40)

18 (8 to 32)

0.006

   DAS28

4.2 +/- 1.4

4.25 +/- 1.29

4.14 +/- 1.44

0.437

   Disease severity

    

   HAQ

1.5 (0.63 to 2.13)

1.63 (0.88 to 2.25)

1.5 (0.38 to 2)

0.036

   EAD n (%)

257 (66.4)

11 (71.6)

146 (62.9)

0.076

   Joint replacement surgery n (%)

276 (71.3)

110 (71)

166 (71.6)

0.901

Medication

    

   Methotrexate n (%)

218 (56.0)

72 (46.5)

148 (63.8)

0.001

   Sulphasalazine n (%)

114 (29.5)

46 (29.7)

68 (29.3)

0.938

   Hydroxychloroquine n (%)

77 (19.9)

26 (16.8)

51 (22)

0.209

   Anti-TNF n (%)

45 (11.6)

20 (12.9)

25 (10.8)

0.522

   Leflunomide n (%)

16 (4.1)

8 (5.2)

8 (3.4)

0.407

   Prednisol medium dose n (%)

56 (14.5)

28 (12.1)

28 (18.1)

0.241

   NSAIDs/COX-II n (%)

108 (27.9)

37 (23.9)

71 (30.6)

0.148

   Anti-hypertensives n (%)

171 (44.2)

107 (69)

64 (24.6)

< 0.001

   Statin/fibrate n (%)

83 (21.4)

80 (51.6)

3 (1.3)

< 0.001

Risk factors for the MetS

    

   Waist (cm)

97.7 +/- 13.13

103.5 +/- 13.13

93.8 +/- 11.69

< 0.001

   Triglycerides (mmol/L)

1.2 (1 to 1.6)

1.5 (1.1 to 2.1)

1.1 (0.9 to 1.4)

< 0.001

   Systolic BP (mmHg)

140 (127 to 154.5)

144 (132.5 to 159.5)

65.3 (58.1 to 69.8)

< 0.001

   Diastolic BP (mmHg)

78.9 +/- 11.18

79.68 +/- 11.14

78.56 +/- 11.05

0.331

   HDL (mmol/L)

1.6 (1.3 to 1.8)

1.4 (1.1 to 1.7)

1.6 (1.4 to 1.9)

< 0.001

   Insulin resistance n (%)

140 (37.2)

87 (62.1)

53 (37.9)

< 0.001

Criteria for MetS

    

   WaistM n(%)

230 (65.7)

122 (86.5)

108 (51.7)

< 0.001

TriglyceridesM n(%)

147 (38)

125 (80.6)

22 (9.5)

< 0.001

   HypertensionM n(%)

311 (80.4)

151 (97.4)

160 (69)

< 0.001

   HDLM n(%)

136 (35.1)

116 (74.8)

20 (8.6)

< 0.001

   FPGM1 n(%)

57 (14.8)

47 (30.5)

10 (4.3)

< 0.001

   Albumin/Creatinine ratio

42 (10.9)

21 (10.6)

21 (14.6)

0.269

  1. Results expressed as percentages, median (25th to 75th percentile values) or mean ± standard deviation as appropriate. insulin resistance = homeostasis model assessment ≥ 2.5 or quantitative insulin sensitivity check index = 0.333; waist M = waist circumference > 102 cm in males and > 88 cm in females; triglyceridesM = triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L or on drug treatment for elevated triglycerides, hypertensionM = systolic BP ≥ 130/85 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication; HDLM = high-density lipoprotein level < 1.0 mmol/L in males or < 1.3 mmol/L in females; FPGM = fasting plasma glucose ≥ 6.1 or on drug treatment for elevated blood glucose.
  2. anti-CCP = anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide; BP = blood pressure; COX-II = cyclooxygenase II inhibitors; CRP = C-reactive protein; DAS = Disease Activity Score; EAD = extra-articular disease; ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ = Health Assessment Questionnaire; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; MetS = metabolic syndrome; NCEP = National Cholesterol Education Programme; NSAIDs = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; RF = rheumatoid factor; TG = triglycerides; TNF = tumour necrosis factor.
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Arthritis Research & Therapy

ISSN: 1478-6362

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