Fig. 1.

Dynamic disease activity indicators and serum MMP-3 between non-progressive and progressive patients. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. Compared between non-progressive and progressive groups by Mann–Whitney rank-sum test. White triangle: dotted line of 60 represents the upper limit of normal serum MMP-3 in females (upper limit of normal serum MMP-3 in males is not shown); Pain VAS pain visual analogue scale, 28TJC 28-joint tender joint count, 28SJC 28-joint swollen joint count, PtGA patient global assessment of disease activity, PrGA provider global assessment of disease activity, HAQ health assessment questionnaire, CRP C-reactive protein, ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate, DAS28 Disease Activity Score 28-joint assessment, SDAI simplified disease activity index, CDAI clinical disease activity index, MMP-3 matrix metalloproteinase-3, RF rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody. Data are represented by median and interquartile range