Baseline demographic, clinical and immunological characteristics of RA patients included in the study.

Values are mean ± sd unless otherwise indicated. *values are reported as mean ± sd (median).RA = rheumatoid arthritis; TNF = tumor necrosis factor; DMARDs = disease modified anti-rheumatic drugs; CRP = C-reactive protein; ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate; DAS = disease activity score; HAQ = Health Assessment Questionnaire; CCP = cyclic citrullinated protein; RF = rheumatoid factor; MCV = modified citrullinated vimentin.