Clinical Study

Rheumatoid Factor Positivity Is Associated with Increased Joint Destruction and Upregulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 and Cathepsin K Gene Expression in the Peripheral Blood in Rheumatoid Arthritic Patients Treated with Methotrexate

Table 2

Clinical, immunological, and radiological parameters and therapeutic response in seronegative rheumatoid arthritic patients.

Baseline
24 months
(Wilcoxon matched pairs -test)

IgM RF, mU/mL9.5 [9.5; 9.5]9.5 [9.5; 9.5]1.00
ACPA, U/mL0.35 [0.15; 50.3]1.0 [0.5; 44]0.19
C-reactive protein, mg/L12.51 [6.4; 30]4.68 [1.5; 12.1]0.001
DAS285.37 [4.5; 5.8]3.29 [1.8; 3.5]0.001
DAS28 < 2.604 (33%)
2.6 < DAS28 < 3.21 (8%)1 (8%)
3.2 < DAS28 < 5.13 (25%)7 (58%)0.57
DAS28 > 5.18 (67%)00.01
Morning stiffness, min150 [75; 210]10 [0; 30]0.002
Swollen joints8 [6; 10.5]1 [0; 2]0.001
Tender joints8.5 [6.5; 11.5]2 [0; 3]0.001
Number of patients with erosions, %8.3 (1/12)8.3 (1/12)
Joint space narrowing score8 [5.5; 11]13 [8.5–17]0.003