The relationship between dietary patterns and rheumatoid arthritis: a case–control study

Nutrition & Metabolism

Table 3 Baseline characteristics of participants

Variables	Case	Control	P value
Age (year)	49.26 ± 12.6	40.88 ± 9.72	< 0.001
Sex, female (%)	81%	76.6%	0.37
BMI (kg/m²)	26.2 ± 4.35	24.82 ± 3.2	0.006
Socioeconomic status (SES)^b	11.94 ± 3.47	13.57 ± 3.45	< 0.001
Cigarette
No	83%	98%	< 0.001^a
Yes	17%	2%	< 0.001^a
Disease history
No	41%	95.9%	< 0.001^a
Yes	59%	4.09%	< 0.001^a
Drug use
No	58%	99%	< 0.001^a
Yes	42%	1%	< 0.001^a
Education
Lower than diploma	50%	14.7%	< 0.001^a
Diploma	33%	37%
Bachelor	15%	31.5%
Higher than bachelor	2%	16.8%
Energy intake (kcal)	2243.02 ± 598.55	2168 ± 687.3	0.365
Carbohydrate (g)	258.29 ± 82	317.1 ± 116.63	0.015
Protein (g)	62.09 ± 18.49	72.59 ± 28.24	< 0.001
Fat (g)	98.57 ± 28	73 ± 32.32	< 0.001
Physical activity (MET-min/week)	4512.29 ± 6160	2372.74 ± 2055	< 0.001

Quantitative variables are shown as mean ± SD, and qualitative variables as frequency (percentage); SD standard deviation, CI confidence interval, BMI body mass index. P values are calculated by independent t-test
^aFor categorical data, P values are assessed by Chi-square test
^bSocioeconomic status (SES) score was evaluated based on education level of both subjects and the family head, job of both subjects and the family head, family size, home status and home type by using self-reported questionnaire

ISSN: 1743-7075