ESR1 and rheumatoid arthritis: Inflammatory markers that were recorded included ESR, which was found abnormally elevated in 82 (78.8%) patients before RA diagnosis and decreased slightly to 71 (68.3%) after RA diagnosis, while CRP level was found abnormally elevated in 36 (34.6%) patients before RA diagnosis and increased mildly to 44 (42.3%) after RA diagnosis (Table 5). Statistical testing of additional laboratory findings (e.g., ESR, CRP, TSH) was not performed due to sample size constraints and because only lipid-related parameters were designated as the primary outcomes of this study.