TABLE 8.

Changes in CRP and IL-6 levels^*.

Category	Test group		Control group		p-values
N (Missing)	354 (2)		116 (1)
CRP	MV	CV	MV	CV
V1 (Baseline)	4.19 ± 4.16		4.00 ± 4.10		0.594
V5 (Day 10)	4.06 ± 4.29	−0.13 ± 2.85	4.25 ± 4.11	0.25 ± 2.09	0.033
N (Missing)	354 (2)		116 (0)△
IL-6	MV	CV	MV	CV
V1 (Baseline)	2.21 ± 3.77		1.90 ± 3.43		0.923
V5 (Day 10)	2.05 ± 3.59	−0.18 ± 3.68	1.74 ± 2.00	−0.15 ± 2.89	0.095

Statistics: p-values were calculated with Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test. Differences at baseline were compared based on measured values (MV) in both groups, while differences between both groups at different follow-up time points were compared based on change values (CV).

^*CRP, values are in milligrams per liter (mg/L); IL-6, values are in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).

^△ The statistical analysis was performed after excluding one case of apparently abnormal extreme IL-6, values in the control group.