Table 1 Participant characteristics^a

Median age (IQR), yr

54 (45 to 63)

53 (44 to 60)

0.38

Caucasian race, n (%)

147 (89)

77 (86)

0.55

Female sex, n (%)

114 (69)

56 (62)

0.30

RF-positive, n (%)

114 (72)

–

–

Median DAS28-ESR (IQR)

3.86 (2.63–4.90)

–

–

Median DAS28-CRP (IQR)

3.09 (2.06–3.80)

–

–

Tender joints, n (IQR)

2 (0 to 7)

–

–

Swollen joints, n (IQR)

3 (0 to 8)

–

–

Median CRP (IQR), mg/L

4.0 (1.2 to 11)

0.5 (0.2 to 1.5)

<0.001

Median ESR (IQR), mm/hr

15 (7 to 36)

–

–

Known CAD, n (%)

17 (10)

9 (10)

0.95

Coronary artery calcium, n (%)

83 (52)

34 (39)

0.05

Coronary calcium score, Agatston units

2.7 (0 to 178.7)

0 (0 to 19.2)

0.02

Methotrexate use, n (%)

118 (71)

–

–

Leflunomide use, n (%)

29 (18)

–

–

Hydroxychloroquine use, n (%)

42 (25)

–

–

Anti-TNFα agent use, n (%)

33 (20)

–

–

Prednisone use, n (%)

89 (54)

–

–

NSAID use, n (%)

55 (33)

33 (37)

0.53