Table 2.
Effect of rituximab treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
| Before RTX | After RTXa | |
|---|---|---|
| DAS28 score | 5.89 ± 0.6 | 4.34 ± 0.7 |
| Rheumatoid factor (IU/ml) | ||
| IgG | 41.5 ± 29.3 | 22.7 ± 19.5* |
| IgM | 67.2 ± 31.1 | 50.2 ± 38.3 |
| IgA | 41.0 ± 38.3 | 25.0 ± 19.5 |
| WBC count (×109/l) | ||
| PBMCs | 6.5 ± 3.1 | 7.8 ± 3.2 |
| BM | 2.1 ± 1.4 | 2.6 ± 1.6 |
| CD19+ (%)b | ||
| PBMCs | 7.7 ± 3.8 | 0 |
| BM | 9.4 ± 4.3 | 1.3 ± 1.2† |
| CD3+ (%)b | ||
| PBMCs | 45.9 ± 15.8 | 42.5 ± 12.9 |
| BM | 28.0 ± 9.8 | 29.4 ± 16.5 |
Values presented as mean ± standard deviation, n = 23
a Samples 1–3 months after RTX treatment
b From the lymphocyte population
* p = 0.008
† p <0.0001
BM bone marrow, DAS28 Disease Activity Score based on evaluation of 28 joints, PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells, RTX rituximab, WBC white blood cell