Effect of Moxibustion on the Serum Levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, and VEGF in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Table 1
Baseline characteristics.
Outcome measure
Treatment group (n = 34)
Control group (n = 32)
value
Clinical symptoms
Morning stiffness score
3.29 (1.96)
3.25 (1.67)
0.99†
Tenderness index
13.47 (7.80)
13.75 (6.97)
0.88†
Swelling index
8.97 (6.13)
8.78 (6.26)
0.90†
VAS
6.56 (1.46)
6.69 (1.66)
0.74†
DAS28
5.99 (1.20)
5.98 (1.01)
0.96†
RA serological disease markers
ESR (mm/60 min)
52.85 (30.20)
53.66 (31.37)
0.92Δ
CRP (mg/L)
16.80 (29.70)
20.56 (29.27)
0.56Δ
RF (IU/ml)
167.09 (197.67)
191.58 (215.65)
0.41Δ
Values are represented as mean (SD). † value by independent samples t test. value by Mann–Whitney U test. Table 1 shows there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups ( > 0.05).
