Plasma interleukin-23 and circulating IL-17A+IFNγ+ ex-Th17 cells predict opposing outcomes of anti-TNF therapy in rheumatoid arthritis

Table 1 Biologic-naïve RA patient demographics and clinical variables at baseline

Baseline measures	EULAR response outcome		P value^a
Baseline measures	Good	Poor	P value^a
Number	42	51
Female, n (%)	29 (69)	34 (67)	0.81
Age, mean years ± SD	56.5 ± 12.8	58 ± 13.7	0.58
DAS28, mean ± SD	5.08 ± 1.08	5.07 ± 1.36	0.97
DAS28 >3.2, n (%)	40 (95)	46 (90)	0.36
CRP, mg/L median (IQR)	11.5 (3–21)	11 (3–28)	0.86
RF+, n (%)	36 (86)	39 (77)	0.26
ACPA+^b, n (%)	32 (80)	41 (80)	0.96
Nodules present^c, n (%)	16 (39)	18 (35)	0.71
Erosions present, n (%)	39 (93)	46 (90)	0.65
Years since diagnosis, median (IQR)	7.6 (3.2–18.0)	6.3 (2.6–13.4)	0.37
TNF inhibitor commenced^d
Adalimumab, n (%)	31 (74)	42 (82)	0.32
Etanercept, n (%)	11 (26)	9 (18)	0.32
Concomitant DMARDS
Prednisone, n (%)	30 (71)	41 (80)	0.31
Prednisone dose^e, mg, median (IQR)	10 (6.0–15.0)	10 (6.0–15.0)	0.89
Methotrexate, n (%)	25 (60)	24 (47)	0.23
Leflunomide, n (%)	11 (26)	11 (21)	0.89
Salazopyrin, n (%)	2 (5)	5 (10)	0.36
Hydroxychloroquine (%)	9 (21)	6 (12)	0.21

^aPearson’s chi-square test was used to compare frequency. Student’s T test was used to compare mean. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparing median
^bTwo participants had no record of ACPA measurement due to the test not being available at the time of diagnosis
^cOne participant did not have the presence/absence of nodules confirmed
^dLow numbers within a divided cohort precluded any reliable comparison between adalimumab and etanercept treated participants
^eMedian dose in prednisone-only participants. Information on prednisone dose was not available for one participant

ISSN: 1478-6362