Table 3.
Baseline fatigue as a predictor of patient reported, clinical, laboratory and ultrasound assessments at prospective visits for patients with rheumatoid arthritis initiating biologic DMARDs
| Dependent variables | 1 month, β (95% CI) | 2 months, β (95% CI) | 3 months, β (95% CI) | 6 months, β (95% CI) | 12 months, β (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patient’s global VAS | 5.64** (4.59–6.69) | 4.77** (3.73–5.81) | 3.83** (2.79–4.86) | 4.16** (3.13–5.20) | 3.83** (2.69–4.98) |
| Joint pain VAS | 5.28** (4.20–6.35) | 4.17** (3.12–5.23) | 3.47** (2.43–4.52) | 3.69** (2.67–4.71) | 3.42** (2.25–4.58) |
| MHAQ | 0.09** (0.07–0.11) | 0.07** (0.05–0.09) | 0.06** (0.04–0.08) | 0.08** (0.05–0.10) | 0.08** (0.05–0.10) |
| SF36 Mental Health | − 4.19** (− 5.06 to − 3.21) | − 3.20** (− 4.10 to − 2.30) | − 3.23** (− 4.14 to − 2.33) | − 3.53** (− 4.40–2.67) | − 2.96** (− 3.86 to − 207) |
| Pain catastrophizing | 0.28** (0.21–0.34) | 0.25** (0.18–0.32) | 0.21** (0.14–0.28) | 0.22** (0.14–0.29) | 0.20** (0.13–0.27) |
| 28 tender joint count | 0.88** (0.63–1.12) | 0.73** (0.48–0.99) | 0.81** (0.56–1.07) | 0.64** (0.41–0.87) | 0.51** (0.25–0.77) |
| Examiner’s global VAS | 1.08* (0.36–1.81) | 0.72* (0.07–1.36) | 1.02* (0.40–1.64) | 1.07** (0.50–1.65) | 0.84* (0.15–1.54) |
| Calprotectin (μg/L) | 0.04 (− 0.02–0.11) | 0.04 (− 0.01–0.09) | 0.02 (− 0.04–0.08) | 0.04 (− 0.00–0.08) | 0.04 (− 0.01–0.08) |
| CRP (mg/L) | 0.52 (− 0.24–1.27) | 0.40 (− 0.26–1.06) | 0.20 (− 0.39–0.78) | 0.49* (0.02–0.97) | 0.14 (− 0.53–0.80) |
| 28 swollen joint count | 0.08 (− 0.16–0.32) | 0.11 (− 0.12–0.35) | 0.16 (− 0.07–0.39) | 0.13 (− 0.10–0.35) | 0.09 (− 0.16–0.33) |
| Sum score GS | − 0.11 (− 0.98–0.75) | − 0.40 (− 1.31–0.50) | − 0.35 (− 1.13–0.44) | − 0.50 (− 1.27–0.26) | − 0.64 (− 1.37–0.09) |
| Sum score PD | − 0.00 (− 0.55–0.54) | − 0.08 (− 0.64–0.47) | − 0.00 (− 0.52–0.52) | − 0.10 (− 0.58–0.38) | − 0.29 (− 0.65–0.07) |
Linear regression models were performed with either of PROMs, clinical, laboratory or ultrasound assessments as the dependent variable. β coefficients are shown for baseline fatigue, and the models are adjusted for age and gender
VAS visual analogue scale, MHAQ modified health assessment questionnaire, SF36 Mental Health short form 36 Mental Health scale score, DAS28 disease activity score with 28 joints and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CDAI clinical disease activity score, SDAI simple disease activity score, CRP C-reactive protein, GS grey scale ultrasound, PD power Doppler ultrasound
*p < 0.05, **p < 0.001