Spearman's correlation coefficients and partial correlation coefficients of cartilage markers vesus RA disease markers.

*<p>Values are correlation coefficients calculated using Spearman's rank correlation. P values are expressed in parentheses. p<0.05 is considered as statistically significant.</p>**<p>Partial correlation coefficients were obtained after controlling CRP level for each marker pair.</p>¶<p>n.a., not applicable.</p>†<p>n.s., not significant.</p>‡<p>n.d., not determined.</p

Temporal course of cartilage biomarker levels during 54-week infliximab therapy.

<p>Data for each time point represent mean levels of serum CRP, HA, COMP, KS, and C2C/CPII in early RA (A) and established RA (B). Standard deviation (SD) error bars are not plotted in these graphs for clarity and are shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0037447#pone-0037447-t003" target="_blank">Table 3</a>. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed-ranks test, two-tailed. *p<0.05 versus level at baseline. **p<0.001 versus level at baseline.</p

Time-course changes in the levels of cartilage biomarkers during 1-year infliximab therapy.

†<p>Values are expressed as mean (SD).</p>*<p>p<0.05 versus baseline levels.</p>**<p>p<0.001 versus baseline levels.</p

Improvement of C2C/CPII from baseline to week 54 was assessed in early RA (A), established RA (B), and all patients (C).

<p>Data are expressed as mean (± SD) percentage of baseline. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to the degree of clinical response at week 54 using EULAR response criteria. Positive values signify that the balance of CII synthesis/degradation is biased toward synthesis, while negative values indicate that the balance is biased toward degradation. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. *p<0.05.</p

Baseline characteristics of the patients with early and established RA enrolled in this study^*.

*<p>Except where indicated otherwise, values are expressed as the mean (range).</p

Characteristics of functional impairment in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis based on range of motion of joints: Baseline data from a multicenter prospective observational cohort study to evaluate the effectiveness of joint surgery in the treat-to-target era

<p><b>Objective:</b> To explore the characteristics of functional impairment in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on the range of motion (ROM) of joints in a prospective observational study of RA patients undergoing joint surgery.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> We collected data on demographics, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and the ROM of large joints including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. Associations between the ROM of each joint and disability in the eight HAQ-DI categories were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic regression analyses. ROM cut-off values of each joint for the absence of disability in each HAQ-DI category were determined using ROC curves.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> A total of 460 patients were enrolled and analyzed in this study. Based on ROC analysis, the ROM of each joint was significantly associated with disability in each category. After adjusting for disease activity, age, and sex, shoulder abduction had the highest independent impact on disability in activity [cut-off: 139 degrees (OR: 5.26)], elbow flexion-extension in dressing [121 degrees (OR: 2.22)], wrist flexion-extension in reach [86 degrees (OR: 2.71)], hip flexion-extension in walking [126 degrees (OR: 3.42)], and knee flexion-extension in walking [134 degrees (OR: 2.97)].</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Limited ROM of multiple joints was significantly associated with functional impairment in patients with long-standing RA. Motion in daily activity involves multiple joints, and at least two joints were independently involved in disability.</p