Table 1.
Characteristics of the study population*
| Intervention (n = 36) | Control (n = 38) | |
|---|---|---|
| General information | ||
| Women | 27 (75) | 29 (76.3) |
| Age, mean ± SD years | 69.14 ± 2.61 | 70.11 ± 2.30 |
| Disease duration, mean ± SD years | 15.4 ± 10.7 | 17.4 ± 10.9 |
| Body measurements, mean ± SD | ||
| Body mass index | 25.58 ± 4.43 | 28.01 ± 4.53 |
| Length, cm | 168.9 ± 8.51 | 166.4 ± 8.04 |
| Weight, kg | 73.3 ± 16.34 | 77.4 ± 12.81 |
| Pain VAS current, mean ± SD mm | 20.67 ± 19.09 | 23.20 ± 15.68 |
| LTPAI, moderate + vigorous, mean ± SD hours | 3.46 ± 2.60 | 3.11 ± 2.30 |
| ESR, mean ± SD | 14.22 ± 12.07 | 12.71 ± 8.26 |
| CRP, mean ± SD | 6.89 ± 15.94 | 4.05 ± 4.75 |
| Disease activity by DAS28, mean ± SD | 2.33 ± 1.10 | 2.41 ± 0.90 |
| Disease activity by CDAI, mean ± SD | 5.35 ± 4.41 | 5.47 ± 3.35 |
| Education | ||
| ≤9 years | 13 (36.1) | 12 (31.6) |
| 10–12 years | 4 (11.1) | 8 (21.1) |
| >12 years | 14 (38.9) | 11 (28.9) |
| Missing | 5 (13.9) | 7 (18.4) |
| Marital status, living with an adult | 24 (66.7) | 24 (63.2) |
| Cigarette smoking | ||
| Current smoker | 3 (8.3) | 3 (7.9) |
| Former smoker | 20 (55.6) | 21 (55.3) |
| Never‐smoker | 13 (36.1) | 14 (36.8) |
| Autoantibodies | ||
| RF | 25 (69.4) | 26 (68.4) |
| Anti‐CCP | 26 (72.2) | 21 (55.3) |
| Erosive | 20 (55.6) | 21 (55.3) |
| Medication | ||
| No DMARD | 0 (0) | 4 (10.5) |
| Synthetic DMARD | 34 (94.4)† | 29 (76.3)† |
| Methotrexate | 31 (86.1) | 25 (65.8) |
| Other | 5 (13.9) | 5 (13.2) |
| Biologic DMARD | 14 (38.9)† | 17 (44.7)† |
| TNF inhibitors | 12 (33.3) | 9 (23.7) |
| Other DMARDs | 2 (5.6) | 8 (21.1) |
| Corticosteroids (oral) | 6 (16.7)† | 10 (26.3)† |
| NSAID | 17 (47.2)† | 22 (57.9)† |
| Paracetamol | 15 (41.7)† | 21 (55.3)† |
| Beta‐blocker | 5 (13.9)† | 12 (31.6)† |
*
Values are the number (%) unless indicated otherwise. VAS = visual analog scale; LTPAI = Leisure Time Physical Activity Instrument ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP = C‐reactive protein; DAS28 = Disease Activity Score in 28 joints; CDAI = Clinical Disease Activity Index; RF = rheumatoid factor; anti‐CCP = anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide; DMARD = disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug; TNF = tumor necrosis factor; NSAID = nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug.
†
Significant.