Table 1. Clinical characteristics of patients (n = 21) and controls (n = 30).

CRP: C-reactive protein, RF: rheumatoid factor, ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Values are expressed as the median with the interquartile range. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Characteristics	Healthy controls		RA patients		p
Sex (male: female)	6: 24		4: 17		0.933
Age (years)	42	(39–58)	46.00	(40–52)	0.811
CRP (mg/l)			2.90	(1.50–12.19)
RF (IU/ml)			124.00	(31.65–358.50)
ESR (mm/h)			16.00	(10.00–27.50)
Swollen joint count (0–28, n)			14	(10–17)
Tender joint count (0–28, n)			11	(6–13)