Table 2 Characteristics of the 32 discovery cohort patients evaluated with musculoskeletal ultrasonography

Age, years, median

58

58

N.S.

Disease duration, years, median

10.5

10.5

N.S.

Female, number

14

13

N.S.

Fulfilled ACR-82 criteria number, median

4

4

N.S.

Meeting arthritis criterion according to ACR-82, number

13

14

N.S.

Meeting nephritis criterion according to ACR-82, number

4

2

N.S.

Conventional radiographs available (hands/wrists/feet)

16

16

N.S.

Erosions on radiography, number of individuals

4

0

N.S.

HAQ score, median

0.5

0.19

N.S.

Ever smoker, number of individuals

9

3

N.S.

Rheumatoid factor positive, number of individuals

6

1

N.S.

anti-CarP antibody level, median

275

102

0.04

anti-CarP positive, number of individuals

6

1

N.S.

Daily dosage of prednisolone, median

2.5

2.5

N.S.