CRP and rheumatoid arthritis: Additionally, several baseline variables in the matched RA group did not achieve balance (SMD > 0.1), including age (SMD = 0.123), hypertension (SMD = 0.112), inflammatory markers (ESR SMD = 0.318; CRP SMD = 0.120), accompanied by specific lipid (such as TG SMD = 0.277; HDL SMD = 0.352) and glucose (SMD = 0.213) metabolic patterns.