Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the study population

Sex, female (%)

26 (86.7)

Age, years (SD)

56.1 (10.4)

Weight, kg (SD)

71.2 (14.6)

Height, cm (SD)

164.4 (8.4)

Seropositive either RF or ACPA, n (%)

13 (43.3)

Disease duration, years (SD)

1.5 (0.6)

ACR/EULAR classification criteria score (IQR)

7 (7–9)

Swollen joints, n (IQR)

4 (1–10)

Tender joints, n (IQR)

3 (1–10)

PGA (SD)

6.4 (2.5)

PhGA (SD)

7 (1.3)

CRP serum levels, mg/L (IQR)

2 (0.5–9.3)

DAS28-CRP (SD)

4.09 (1.59)

mSvdH score (IQR)

23.0 (12.0–60.0)

Treatment with csDMARD, n (%)

None

Methotrexate

Leflunomide

Sulfasalazine

6 (20.0)

21 (70.0)

2 (6.6)

1 (3.4)

Vitamin D supplements taking, n (%)

29 (96.6)

GC taking, n (%)

15 (50)

GC daily dose at enrollment, mg (IQR)

1 (0–5)

GC cumulative dose prior to enrollment, mg (IQR)

1,255 (450-5,985)

ACPA titer, IU (IQR)

69.0 (4.6-630.2)

RF titer, IU (SD)

20.0 (20.0-95.7)

Smoking habit, n (%)

No

Yes

Former

16 (53.3)

9 (30.0)

5 (16.7)

Family history of fragility fractures, n (%)

0 (0)

Charlson Comorbidity Index (IQR)

2 (1–3)

Lumbar Spine

T-score (SD)

Z-score (SD)

BMD g/cm2 (SD)

-1.18 (0.92)

-0.17 (0.85)

0.992 (0.108)

Femoral Neck

T-score (SD)

Z-score (SD)

BMD g/gm2 (SD)

-0.70 (1.02)

0.22 (0.89)

0.766 (0.120)

Total Hip

T-score (SD)

Z-score (SD)

BMD g/cm2 (SD)

-0.16 (1.04)

0.39 (0.95)

0.911 (0.151)