Table 1

Characteristics of the training sample

CharacteristicRA (n=301)Non-RA (n=526)
Age (years), mean (SD)66.8 (13.1)57.7 (15.7)
Female gender, n (%)218 (72.4)405 (77)
Disease duration <2 years, n (%)81* (27.6)
Rheumatoid factor positive, n (%)151† (54.4)
NSAID or COX-2 inhibitor, n (%)198 (65.8)298 (56.7)
Glucocorticoids, n (%)228 (75.8)178 (33.8)
DMARDs
 Methotrexate, n (%)182 (60.5)31 (5.9)
 Antimalarials, n (%)153 (50.8)67 (12.7)
 Sulfasalazine, n (%)14 (4.7)24 (4.6)
 Leflunomide, n (%)12 (4)0 (0)
 Other DMARDs, n (%)5 (1.7)7 (1.3)
 Any DMARD, n (%)271 (90)114 (21.7)
Biologics30 (10)7 (1.3)
  • *Data available on 293 participants.

  • †Data available on 277 participants.

  • DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.