Fig. 5

Forest plot demonstrating multivariable linear regression analysis between demographic and disease-related variables and JSW parameters at MCPJ 2 to 4. A Joint space volume; B mean joint space width (JSW); C maximum JSW; D minimum JSW. Male sex was associated with a larger JSV, higher Mean JSW (MCPJ 4), and Max JSW (MCPJ 3). Mean and Max JSW were negatively correlated with disease duration (MCPJ 2 and 3) and ESR level (MCPJ 3). Mean JSW (MCPJ 2) and Min JSW (MCPJ 2 and 4) were negatively correlated with damage joint count. Patients receiving csDMARDs (MCPJ 3) and bDMARDs (MCPJ 2 and 3) had significantly lower and higher Min JSW, respectively, compared to non-users. MCPJ, metacarpophalangeal joint; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; csDMARDs, conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs; bDMARDs, biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs