Table 1.

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics

Age (years)	62.6 [12.6]
Female (%)	66.7
IgM rheumatoid factor positive (%)	81.4
RA disease duration (year; median [range])	10.0 [0–60]
Leflunomide as first DMARD (%)	9.7
DMARDs prior to leflunomide (n)	3 [0–11]
Concomitant systemic corticosteroids (%)	43.0
Median corticosteroid dose (mg)	5
ESR start (mm h−1)	40 [26]
CRP start (mg l−1)	38 [33]
Creatinine (micromoles l−1)	78 [22]

Values represent mean [SD] unless stated otherwise. CRP start, C-reactive protein at the start of leflunomide therapy; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; ESR start, erythrocyte sedimentation rate at the start of leflunomide therapy; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.