Table 3 Multivariate regression to identify the association of the timing of bDMARD start and remission on and off medication, physical disability, HRQoL, and joint surgeries as outcomes

Remission on medication^a

0.61 (0.25; 1.49)

0.278

2.47 (0.55; 11.12)^d

0.240

Remission off medication^a

0.28 (0.12; 1.66)

0.003

0.24 (0.06; 0.92)^d

0.038

HAQ total score^b

0.48 (0.27; 0.68)

 < 0.001

0.05 (− 0.18; 0,28)

0.687

SF 36 physical component^b

 − 10.63 (− 16.00; − 5.27)

 < 0.001

 − 0.01 (− 8.76; 6.85)

0.997

PF^b

 − 29.29 (− 41.79; − 16.79)

 < 0.001

 − 2.88 (.17.70; 11.94)

0.700

RP^b

 − 25.57 (− 40.82; − 10.32)

0.001

0.53 (− 19.38; 20.44)

0.958

BP^b

 − 14.82 (− 25.62; − 4.03)

0.007

2.63 (− 10.59; 15.84)

0.694

GH^b

 − 7.59 (− 16.86; 1.69)

0.108

 − 0.26 (− 12.68; 12.17)

0.967

SF36 mental component^b

 − 6.16 (− 14.50; 2.18)

0.147

 − 0.41 (− 11.83; 11.00)

0.944

VT^b

 − 10.73 (− 19.05; − 2.41)

0.012

 − 3.81 (− 14.98; 7.36)

0.500

SF^b

 − 15.49 (− 26.15; − 4.84)

0.005

 − 8.00 (− 22.39; 6.40)

0.273

RE^b

 − 14.63 (− 28.63; − 0.64)

0.041

 − 3.61 (− 16.91; 24.14)

0.727

MH^b

 − 5.95 (− 14.27; 2.46)

0.165

 − 1.60 (− 12.76; 9.56)

0.776

Joint surgeries^a

26.6 (3.62; 195.34)

0.001

7.33 (0.82; 65.62)

0.075