Table 1.
Demographical data (at baseline)
| Intention to treat | Per protocol | |
|---|---|---|
| Number, number | 52 | 49 |
| Gender, female/male | 31/21 | 29/20 |
| Age, years | 59.1 ± 10.8 | 59.3 ± 11.0 |
| Body mass index, kg/cm | 27.8 ± 5.3 | 27.8 ± 5.4 |
| Disease duration, years | 8.7 ± 8.2 | 8.3 ± 7.7 |
| HAQ-DI, baseline | 0.55 ± 0.66 | 0.58 ± 0.67 |
| Tender joint count 68, mean ± SD | 1.95 ± 2.97 | 2.11 ± 2.95 |
| Swollen joint count 68, mean ± SD | 0.55 ± 1.29 | 0.60 ± 1.30 |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mm/h | 11.37 ± 6.00 | 11.38 ± 7.0 |
| C-reactive protein, mg/l | 3.49 ± 2.00 | 6.28 ± 3.0 |
| Patient’s global assessment of disease activity (VAS 0–100) | 16.97 ± 13.26 | 15.81 ± 17.90 |
| Patient’s global assessment of pain (VAS 0–100) | 19.62 ± 16.61 | 18.05 ± 17.58 |
| Physician’s global assessment of disease activity (VAS 0–100) | 10.98 ± 9.28 | 14.33 ± 7.45 |
| DAS-28 | 1.73 ± 0.72 | 1.82 ± 0.80 |
| Rheumatoid factor-positivea | 62.0 % | 63.8 % |
| ACPA-positivea | 50.0 % | 51.1 % |
| Erosive diseasea | 58.3 % | 55.5 % |
| Pre-exposed to IV abatacept | 38.5 % | 34.6 % |
| Pre-exposed to TNF antagonists | 60.1 % | 53.4 % |
| Pre-exposed to other biologic agents | 28.8 % | 26.9 % |
| Concomitant therapy | ||
| Leflunomide | n = 20 | n = 19 |
| Leflunomide + hydroxychloroquine | n = 1 | n = 1 |
| Methotrexateb | n = 18 | n = 16 |
| Hydroxychloroquine | n = 5 | n = 5 |
| Sulfasalazine | n = 4 | n = 4 |
| Sulfasalazine + hydroxychloroquine | n = 3 | n = 3 |
| Prednisolone dose or equivalent, mg/d | 2.66 ± 3.25 | 2.82 ± 3.28 |
aMeasured on patients with data assessable
bMethotrexate was always applied in subcutaneous formulation
HAQ-DI Health assessment questionnaire disability Index, SD standard deviation, ACPA anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies, VAS visual analog scale, DAS-28 disease activity score in 28 joints