Table 1 Baseline characteristics of RA patients

Age (yrs)

53.5 (39 to 61.5)

Female sex (%)

95

Disease duration (yrs)

3 (2 to 6)

Erosions (%)

44

Subcutanous nodules (%)

7

DAS28

4.72 (3.8 to 6.4)

Morning stiffness (minutes)

30 (10 to 60)

VAS-pain (0 to10)

5 (3 to 7)

CRP (mg/L)

12 (6 to 35)

Tobacco, N (%)

1 (2)

Prednisone, N (%)

51 (91)

Dose (mg/day)

10

Methotrexate, N (%)

43 (77)

Dose (mg/day)

10

Sulfasalazine, N (%)

7 (12)

Azathioprine, N (%)

2 (5)

Leflunomide, N (%)

2 (5)

D-penicillamine, N (%)

1 (2)