Table 1 Characteristics of patients

Age, years, mean ± SD

55.3 ± 10.5

52.8 ± 10.0

0.34

Female sex, n (% of total)

30 (100)

30 (100)

N/A

Disease duration, years, median (IQR)

6.1 (4–10.7)

12.35 (3.8–15)

0.26

RF-positive, n (% of total)

21 (72.3%)

22 (73.3%)

0.93

Anti-CCP antibody-positive, n (% of total)

18 (64.3%)

27 (93.1%)

0.008

CRP, mg/dl, median (IQR)dl

0.09 (0.05–0.14)

1.02 (0.34–2.33)

<0.001

MTX dosage, mg/week, median (IQR)

15 (12.5–15)

15 (15–15)

0.50

Use of corticosteroids, n (% of total)

4 (13.3%)

29 (96.7%)

<0.001