Table 1 Characteristics of the study groups

Age (years)

55.29 ± 5.33

52.44 ± 3.69

56.51 ± 5.51^b

0.0009

Sex, n (%)

Female

Male

20 (90.90)

2 (9.10)

42 (97.67)

1 (2.33)

33 (94.28)

2 (5.72)

0.48

ESR (mm/h)

14 (12–16)

40 (30–51)^a

12 (8–17)^b

< 0.0001

CRP (mg/L)

3 (2.85–3.90)

10 (6–40)^a

3 (2.7-4.0)^b

< 0.0001

RF (≥ 15 IU/mL)

Mean ± SD

0 (0)

6.3 ± 2.00

34 (79)

37.83 ± 23.89^a

0 (0)

5.57 ± 2.00^b

< 0.0001

Disease activity^#, n (%)

Low

Moderate

High

4 (9.3)

15 (34.9)

24 (55.8)

-

Disease severity^$, n (%)

Mild

Moderate

Severe

-

-

14 (40.0)

16 (45.7)

5 (14.3)

-