Serum a proliferation-inducing ligand and MicroRNA-223 are associated with rheumatoid arthritis: diagnostic and prognostic implications

Table 1 Characteristics of RA patients and healthy controls

Parameter	RA patients (n = 120)	Healthy controls (n = 130)	P value
Sex			0.13
Male, n (%)	12 (10%)	22 (17%)
Female, n (%)	108 (90%)	108 (83%)
Age (years)	38.25 ± 10.13	39.9 ± 15.2	0.32
Range	(19–60)	(20–59)
Hemoglobin (g/dl)	11.83 ± 1.63	12.3 ± 2.5	0.08
Total leukocyte count (× 10³/mm³)	7.72 ± 2.48	8 ± 3.1	0.43
Platelet count (×10³/mm³)	279.6 ± 80.85	288.26 ± 75.2	0.4
ALT (U/l)	25.63 ± 10.89	27.51 ± 11.48	0.19
Creatinine (mg/dl)	0.82 ± 0.22	0.9 ± 0.42	0.06
Disease duration (y)	6.22 ± 4.45	NA
MS (min)	25.38 ± 25.18	NA
ESR (mm)	39.13 ± 23.6	NA
RF, n (%)		NA
Positive	90 (75)
Negative	30 (25)
ANA, n (%)		NA
Positive	18 (15)
Negative	102 (85)
DAS28-CRP	2.98 ± 1.73	NA
Remission < 2.3	48 (40)
Low disease activity 2.3–2.7	9 (7.5)
Mild disease activity 2.7–4.1	30 (25)
High disease activity > 4.1	33 (27.5)
VAS (mm)	5.22 ± 3.34	NA
Swollen joint count (SJC)	5.33 ± 5.66	NA
Tender joint count (TJC)	5.17 ± 5.45	NA
Arthritis, n (%)		NA
Severe	87 (72.5)
Mild	33 (27.5)
Deformities, n (%)		NA
Yes	84 (70)
No	36 (30)
Fever, n (%)
Yes	15 (12.5)
No	105 (87.5)	NA
Subcutaneous nodules, n (%)
Yes	30 (25)
No	90 (75)
Extra articular manifestations, n (%)		NA
Yes	24 (20)
No	96 (80)
Treatment	NA
Steroids only	6 (5)
MTX only	60 (50)
HQN only	6 (5)
MTX + HQN	24 (20)
MTX + steroids	24 (20)

Data are expressed by mean ± SD or number (percentage). ALT alanine aminotransferase, ANA antinuclear antibody, CRP C-reactive protein, DAS28 28-Joint disease activity score, ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate, HQN hydroquinone, MS morning stiffness, MTX methotrexate, NA not applicable, RF rheumatoid factor, VAS visual analogue scale for general health

ISSN: 1528-3658