**2. Results**

#### *2.1. Clinical Characteristics of RA Patients*

Of the 93 RA patients, 66 (71.0%) tested positive for rheumatoid factor (RF) and 63 (67.7%) for anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA). Significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein were observed in RA patients with high L5% compared to those with normal L5% (*p* < 0.05) (Table 1). We found no significant differences between RA patients with high L5% and normal L5% in demographic variables, clinical characteristics, the proportion of positivity for RF or ACPA, disease activity scores, the proportion of comorbidities, or medication use.


**Table 1.** Demographic and laboratory data in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with high percentage of L5 in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (L5%) and with normal L5% **a.**


**Table 1.** *Cont*.

<sup>a</sup> Data are presented as median (interquartile range, IQR), mean ± standard deviation (SD), or number (%). High L5% is defined as plasma L5 proportion above 1.8%. <sup>b</sup> *p* < 0.05 and <sup>c</sup> *p* < 0.01 vs. patients with normal L5%, as determined by using the Mann–Whitney U test. <sup>d</sup> Included two patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and four with ischemic stroke; <sup>e</sup> included two patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and two with ischemic stroke; BMI: Body mass index; ACPA: Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies; ESR: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP: C-reactive protein; DAS28: Disease activity score for 28-joints; csDMARDs: Conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; IL-6: Interleukin-6; TC: Total cholesterol; HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; atherogenic index is the ratio of TC/HDL-C; CVD: Cerebrovascular/cardiovascular disease.
