Table 2.
Changes in FDG parameters and clinical parameters after treatment
| Parameters | Baseline | After 6 months | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDG parameters | |||
| Mean SUVmax | 1.83 ± 0.34 | 1.90 ± 0.34 | 0.059 |
| TBR | 1.71 ± 0.23 | 1.75 ± 0.29 | 0.222 |
| Clinical parameters | |||
| ESR (mm/h) | 62.3 ± 32.2 | 36.5 ± 28.6 | < 0.001 |
| CRP (mg/dL)a | 1.3 (0.4–3.0) | 0.1 (0.0–0.6) | < 0.001 |
| MMP-3 (ng/mL)a | 153.6 (70.5–412.6) | 65.2 (39.3–133.4) | < 0.001 |
| WBC (/μL) | 6537.5 ± 2239.2 | 5609.4 ± 1992.5 | < 0.001 |
| % neutrophils | 68.7 ± 9.2 | 57.9 ± 12.7 | < 0.001 |
| % eosinophils | 2.3 ± 2.3 | 3.0 ± 2.6 | 0.004 |
| % basophils | 0.4 ± 0.2 | 0.5 ± 0.3 | < 0.001 |
| % monocytes | 5.3 ± 1.8 | 6.3 ± 2.2 | 0.003 |
| % lymphocytes | 22.2 ± 7.5 | 31.3 ± 11.6 | < 0.001 |
| ACPA (U/mL)a | 87.4 (12.1–100.0) | 55.8 (8.0–100.0) | 0.276 |
| ACPA positive, n (%) | 34 (53.1) | 29 (45.3) | < 0.001 |
| RF (U/mL)a | 49 (13–137) | 27 (10–79) | < 0.001 |
| RF positive, n (%) | 34 (53.1) | 25 (39.1) | < 0.001 |
| DAS28-ESR | 5.0 ± 1.2 | 3.3 ± 1.2 | < 0.001 |
The data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation, with the exception of skewed variables (a), which are represented as medians (interquartile range)
SUVmax maximum standardized uptake value; TBR tissue-to-background ratio; ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP C-reactive protein; WBC white blood cell count; MMP-3 matrix metalloproteinase-3; ACPA anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody; RF rheumatoid factor; DAS28 Disease Activity Score in 28 joints