Table 1.
Baseline patient characteristics
| Age (years) | 63 ± 12 |
|---|---|
| Gender (male) | 8 (36%) |
| Cardiovascular risk factors | |
| Diabetes | 2 (9%) |
| Hypertension | 13 (59%) |
| Smokinga | 12 (55%) |
| Hyperlipidaemia | 8 (36%) |
| Family history of CVD | 7 (32%) |
| Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) | 7 (32%) |
| Symptoms (multiple possible) | |
| Angina | 6 (27%) |
| Dyspnoea | 9 (41%) |
| Palpitations | 2 (9%) |
| Syncope | – |
| ECG abnormality | 7 (32%) |
| Years since diagnosis | |
| 3 (2–10) | |
| < 1 | 3 (14%) |
| 1–4 | 10 (45%) |
| 5–9 | 3 (14%) |
| > 10 | 6 (27%) |
| Disease activity | |
| DAS-28 | 3.4 (1.8–6.2) |
| Haematocrit | 0.38 (0.34–0.42) |
| Medication | |
| Beta-blockers | 7 (32%) |
| ARB | 12 (54%) |
| ASA | 2 (9%) |
| CCB | 8 (36%) |
| Statins | 5 (23%) |
| Diuretics | 4 (18%) |
| Steroids | 16 (73%) |
| NSAID | 4 (18%) |
| Antibodies | 2 (9%) |
| Cyclophosphamide | 2 (9%) |
| Azathioprine | 1 (4%) |
| Methotrexate | 6 (27%) |
All values are n or mean SD or median interquartile ranges
CVD cardiovascular disease, BMI body mass index, ECG electrocardiogram, ARB angiotensin receptor blockers, ASA acetylsalicylic acid, CCB calcium channel blockers, NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
aCurrent or ever smokers