Description of the study cohort at baseline and during follow-up (n=14 203)
| Variable | Total | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| At baseline | ||||||||
| Females, n (%) | 10 047 (71) | 2092 (72) | 1767 (72) | 1601 (70) | 1389 (70) | 1290 (72) | 1082 (69) | 826 (68) |
| Age (years), mean (SD) | 60 (14.1) | 60 (14.3) | 60 (14.4) | 61 (13.9) | 60 (14.0) | 61 (14.1) | 60 (14.1) | 60 (14.2) |
| Charlson Comorbidity Index >0, n (%) | 1665 (12) | 460 (15) | 295 (12) | 307 (13) | 197 (10) | 161 (9) | 144 (9) | 101 (8) |
| Drug classes, median (IQR) | 4 (2–6) | 3 (2–5) | 3 (2–5) | 4 (2–6) | 4 (2–6) | 4 (2–6) | 4 (2–6) | 4 (2–6) |
| During follow-up | ||||||||
| Deaths, n (%) | 75 (0.5) | |||||||
| Patients hospitalised for medical diagnosis, n (%) | 2609 (18.4) | |||||||
| Patients hospitalised for RA, n (%) | 704 (5) | |||||||
| Patients hospitalised for RA (only main diagnosis), n (%) | 252 (1.8) |
RA, rheumatoid arthritis.