Table 2.
Disease status and medication at baseline.
| Fasting and plant–based diet | Standard diet according to DGE | |
|---|---|---|
| (n = 25) | (n = 25) | |
| Time since diagnosis, yearsa Median (IQR) |
3.30 (0.97;8.62) | 3.33 (1.91;9.18) |
| RF and/or ACPA positive | 18 (72) | 21 (84) |
| RF positive | 11 (44) | 19 (76) |
| ACPA positive | 13 (52) | 16 (64) |
| HAQ–DI (0–3)b | 0.69 ± 0.49 | 0.94 ± 0.54 |
| DAS28–CRP | 3.89 ± 1.26 | 4.03 ± 1.39 |
| DAS28–ESR | 4.19 ± 1.41 | 4.42 ± 1.58 |
| SDAI | 23.58 ± 14.83 | 26.16 ± 15.03 |
| CDAI | 20.75 ± 14.55 | 22.80 ± 14.22 |
| In remissionc | 1 (4) | 1 (4) |
| 28–swollen joint count | 5.22 ± 4.92 | 5.80 ± 5.54 |
| 28–tender joint count | 8.72 ± 7.72 | 9.16 ± 7.73 |
| Physician's global assessment of disease activity, 0–100 mmd | 31.56 ± 23.35 | 36.32 ± 23.21 |
| Patient's global assessment of disease activity, 0–100 mmd | 36.53 ± 23.48 | 42.04 ± 26.54 |
| C reactive protein, mg/L | 2.84 ± 3.54 | 3.36 ± 4.01 |
| ESR, mm/hour | 15.08 ± 12.45 | 16.71 ± 11.77 |
| Current RA treatment with csDMARDs | 14 (56) | 16 (64) |
| MTX | 10 (40) | 15 (60) |
| Sulfasalazine | 3 (12) | 2 (8) |
| Hydroxychloroquine | 0 (0) | 1 (4) |
| Leflunomide | 3 (12) | 2 (8) |
| Current RA treatment with bDMARDs | 5 (20) | 4 (16) |
| Adalimumab | 0 (0) | 1 (4) |
| Etanercept | 3 (12) | 1 (4) |
| Tocilizumab | 2 (8) | 0 (0) |
| Sarilumab | 0 (0) | 1 (4) |
| Rituximab | 0 (0) | 1 (4) |
| Current RA treatment with tsDMARDs | 1 (4) | 3 (12) |
| Baricitinib | 0 (0) | 3 (12) |
| Upadacitinib | 1 (4) | 0 (0) |
| Current treatment with glucocorticoids | 6 (24) | 9 (36) |
| Other medication | ||
| NSAIDs | 1 (4) | 8 (32) |
| Azathioprin | 1 (4) | 0 (0) |
| Vitamin D derivates | 12 (48) | 7 (28) |
| Antihypertensives | 4 (16) | 1 (4) |
| PPI | 2 (8) | 4 (16) |
| Statins | 0 (0) | 2 (8) |
Values reported are means ± SD or n (%) unless specified otherwise.
aTime since diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is presented as median and IQR.
bHAQ–DI scores range from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
cRemission according to Boolean–based or index (SDAI)–based definition of remission developed by the American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology.
dThis evaluation is based on a VAS of 0–100, with higher scores indicating greater disease activity or pain.
ACPA, anti–citrullinated protein antibody; DGE, German society for nutrition; HAQ–DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index; RF, rheumatoid factor; VAS, Visual Analog Scale; DMARD, disease–modifying antirheumatic drug.