Matrix to predict rapid radiographic progression of early rheumatoid arthritis patients from the community treated with methotrexate or leflunomide: results from the ESPOIR cohort

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the ESPOIR patients who received methotrexate or its equivalent as a first-line biologic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.

	SD-treated patients (number = 370)	All ESPOIR patients (number = 813)
Age, years	49.4 ± 11.4 (51.5)	48.1 ± 12.5 (50.1)
Female sex	271 (73.2%)	624 (76.7%)
Disease duration, weeks	15.2 ± 15.4 (57.7)	31.6 ± 37.1 (21.3)
Swollen joint count in 28 joints	7.9 ± 5.4 (7)	7.2 ± 5.4 (6)
Tender joint count in 28 joints	8.7 ± 6.9 (7)	8.4 ± 7 (6)
ESR, mm/1^st hour	32.7 ± 25 (26)	29.4 ± 24.6 (22)
CRP, mg/L	24.8 ± 37.7 (11)	20.3 ± 32.4 (9)
DAS28(ESR)-4v	5.4 ± 1.2 (5.2)	5.1 ± 1.3 (5.1)
IgM RF positivity	204 (55.1%)	376 (45.8%)
ACPA positivity	185 (50%)	315 (38.8%)
Typical erosion on radiographs	66 (17.8%)	100 (13.6%)
vSHS score	6.02 ± 9.7 [54]	3.71 ± 5.71 [54]
ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria	316 (85.4%)	582 (79.1%)
HAQ score	1.03 ± 0.7 (1)	0.979 ± 0.684
First-line agent:
- No DMARDs	n.a.	207 (25.5%)
- DMARDs without structural effect	n.a.	117 (14.4%)
- Methotrexate or leflunomide	370 (100%)	396 (48.7%)
- Other DMARDs with structural effect	n.a.	56 (6.9%)
- Tumor necrosis factor blockers alone or in combination	n.a.	37 (4.6%)

Data are mean ± SD (median) or number (%); n.a.; not available. Baseline CRP level (normally < 10 mg/l), IgM and IgA RF (ELISA, Menarini, France; positive > 9 UI/ml) and anti-CCP2 antibodies (ACPA; ELISA, DiaSorin, France; positive > 50 U/ml) were detected in all patients with the same technique in a central lab (Paris-Bichat). ACPA, anti-citrullinated protein antibody; ACR/EULAR, American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism; CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS28(ESR)-4v, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints-4 variables, using erythrocyte sedimentation rate; DMARD, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; IgM, immunoglobulin M; RF, rheumatoid factor; SD, synthetic DMARD; vSHS, van der Heijde-modified Sharp score.

ISSN: 1478-6362