Baseline characteristics in RA and controls
| Variable | n | RA | n | Controls |
| Age (years), mean±SD | 289 | 59.4±11.3 | 280 | 62.9±11.9* |
| Females, n (%) | 289 | 230 (80) | 280 | 153 (55)*** |
| Height (m), mean±SD | 289 | 1.67±0.08 | 280 | 1.69±0.1** |
| Weight (kg), mean±SD | 289 | 74.9±13.8 | 280 | 76.9±14.3 ns |
| BMI (kg/m²), mean±SD | 289 | 27.0±4.5 | 280 | 26.8±4.0 ns |
| Fat mass (%), mean±SD | 289 | 38.8±7.4 | 280 | 35.3±7.2*** |
| RF seropositivity, n (%) | 289 | 229 (79) | – | |
| ACPA positive, n (%) | 289 | 200 (87) | – | |
| DAS28CRP, median (IQR) | 285 | 2.1 (1.3) | – | |
| CRP (mg/L), median (IQR) | 274 | 2.2 (3.5) | – | |
| Disease duration (years), median (IQR) | 289 | 9 (12) | – | |
| HAQ (0–3), median (IQR) | 289 | 0.5 (0–1.3) | – | |
| Medication current, n (%) | 280 | – | ||
| Jak inhibitors, n (%) | 22 (8) | – | ||
| cDMARDs, n (%) | 190 (68) | – | ||
| bDMARDs, n (%) | 130 (46) | – | ||
| Glucocorticoids, n (%) | 147 (53) | – | ||
| Cumulative dose prednisone equivalent (g), median (IQR) | 275 | 10.0 (21) | – |
*p<0.01, **p<0.001, ***p<0.0001.
ACPA, anticitrullinated peptide antibodies; bDMARDS, biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; BMI, body mass index; cDMARDS, conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; CRP, C reactive protein; DAS28CRP, Disease Activity Score of 28 joints including C reactive protein; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; ns, non-significant; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RF, rheumatoid factor.