*4.11. Statistical Analysis*

The results are presented as the mean ± standard deviation (SD), the standard error of mean (SEM), or the median (interquartile range). The nonparametric Mann−Whitney U test was used for between-group comparisons of plasma levels of lipid profile, AI, and QRISK-2 scores. The comparison of mRNA expression levels between RA patients and healthy controls or between RA patients with high L5% and normal L5% was analyzed by the Student's t-test. The comparison of CD11c expression or cytokine mRNA expression levels in THP-1 cells or macrophages treated with different doses of L1 and L5 was analyzed by one-way ANOVA. The correlation coefficient was calculated using the nonparametric Spearman's rank correlation test. A two-sided *p*-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
