Table 5 Disease-related characteristics at baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks

Morning stiffness (min)

116 ± 75

72 ± 81^a

55 ± 83^a

4.33, P = 0.02

CRP (mg/L)

10 (4-14)

3 (2.9-6)^a

5 (2.9-10)^a

12.89, P < 0.001

ESR (mm/hr)

16 (9-34)

10 (5-21)^a

17 (5-27)

4.98, P = 0.01

DAS28

4.17 ± 0.96

2.74 ± 1.4^a

2.64 ± 1.07^a

15.92, P < 0.001

HAQ

2.1 ± 0.5

1.3 ± 0.9^a

1.3 ± 0.9^a

17.18, P < 0.001