Micro RNA-23b as a potential biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and severity: clinical, laboratory, and radiological cross-sectional study

Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation

Table 3 Comparison of the plasma miRNA-23b expression between females and males and between patients receiving and not receiving the immunosuppressive medications

	Plasma miRNA-23b expression (delta cycle threshold) (median [IQR])	p
Gender
Females	340.0 [460.0]
Males	500.0 [660.0]	0.135
Glucocorticoids
Not receiving glucocorticoids	390.0 [550.0]
Receiving glucocorticoids	340.0 [665.0]	0.919
Methotrexate
Not receiving methotrexate	342.5 [680.0]
Receiving methotrexate	374.0 [387.5]	0.798
Leflunomide
Not receiving leflunomide	374.0 [487.5]
Receiving leflunomide	347.5 [685.0]	0.575
Hydroxychloroquine
Not receiving hydroxychloroquine	351.5 [415.0]
Receiving hydroxychloroquine	375.0 [640.0]	0.402
Biological
Not receiving biological	358.0 [560.0]
Receiving biological	345.0 [495.0]	0.849