Table 1 Comparison of baseline clinical demographics of test and control groups

Clinical assessment at entry

Age (Years)

62.8 ± 11.4

59.7 ± 14.9

NS^†

RA duration (Months)

88.1 ± 76.2

114.5 ± 92.6

NS^†

DAS28-ESR

5.64 ± 0.86

5.64 ± 1.37

NS^†

TJC

12.3 ± 6.1

15.9 ± 11.7

NS^†

SJC

12.6 ± 6.2

13.9 ± 7.8

NS^†

ESR (mm/hr)

46.7 ± 27.0

48.4 ± 32.9

NS^†

CRP (mg/dl)

2.5 ± 2.4

2.5 ± 2.8

NS^†

RF (IU/ml)

143 ± 102

213 ± 292

NS^†

PSL (mg/day)

2.72 ± 2.29

2.64 ± 2.94

NS^†

PSL (No.)

13

11

NS^§

DMARDs (No.)

16

13

NS^§

NSAIDs (No.)

14

11

NS^§

LES

3 (17%)

4 (22%)

NS^§

MES

12 (66%)

10 (56%)

NS^§

MUD

3 (17%)

4 (22%)

NS^§

Complication (No.)

9

9

NS^§

Drug resistance (No.)

7

5

NS^§

Drug allergy (No.)

2

4

NS^§

Constipation (No.)

12

12

NS^§

Diarrhea (No.)

3

2

NS^§

None (No.)

3

4

NS^§