Mean dose (95% CI) of weekly methotrexate (mg) and oral daily prednisolone (mg) at randomisation baseline and study completion (week 16) and difference in the mean: a randomised controlled potassium intervention diet study (n=172) in rheumatoid arthritis on standard care [A=potassium-rich diet; B=potassium-rich diet plus potassium food supplement; C=control routine diet]
| Drug | Baseline | Completion | Mean of the difference at week 16 from baseline |
| Methotrexate (A), n=47 | 14.89 (13.62, 16.16) | 14.56 (13.10, 15.70) | 1.86 (0.07,3.65) |
| Methotrexate (B), n=50 | 13.75 (12.5, 14.74 | 15.95 (15.59, 17.31) | 3.44 (1.46,5.42) |
| Methotrexate (C), n=50 | 14.02 (13.42, 15.57) | 15.07 (13.83, 16.29 | 5.86 (3.37,8.35) |
| Prednisolone (A), n=48 | 5.45 (4.52, 6.38) | 3.42 (2.49, 4.35) | −0.88 (−2.36, 0.60) |
| Prednisolone (B),n=34 | 5.07 (4.16,5.98) | 4.04 (3.17, 4.91) | 0.02 (−1.50,1.52) |
| Prednisolone (C), n=49 | 5.45 (4.64, 6.26) | 4.02 (3.07,4.97) | 0.01 (−1.39,1.41) |
Baseline comparison, methotrexate, p=0.56.
Completion comparison, methotrexate, p=0.64.
Baseline comparison, prednisolone, p=0.94.
Completion comparison, prednisolone, p=0.58.
Mean of the difference comparison, methotrexate, p=0.02 (pair wise comparison: A–B, p=0.23, B–C, p=0.12, A–C, p=0.009).
Mean of the difference comparison, prednisolone, p=0.46.
Baseline/completion: actual consumption of drug by subjects at baseline and on completion.
Mean of the difference calculation: last observation (dose) was carried forward for subjects withdrawn prematurely and nil (0) dose was considered at baseline for subjects who were begun on the drugs during the study and completed week 16.
Statistical tests: one way ANOVA, significant p.
ANOVA, analysis of variance; n, number of study participants.