Fig. 1

Evaluation of the impact of systemic treatment on the recurrence rate - Sub-analysis of patients with chronic and recurrent course

Graph A shows the correlation between follow-up time and recurrence rate. It demonstrates that the recurrence rate diminishes as follow-up increases (Spearman's r = -0.6, P = 0.0). It also indicates that patients with 1 (green dots) and 2 (yellow dots) DMARDs present fewer recurrences over time. Graph B allows identification of which patients from Graph A received biologics (yellow dots) either as monotherapy or combined therapy. Graphs C, D, and E represent the difference in the mean recurrence rate and follow-up time between patients with and without therapy. The Mann–Whitney test was used in all cases. Graph C DMARDs Median "0.6549 recurrences per year," Non-DMARDs Median: "1.177 recurrences per year," P = 0.2129. DMARDs Median "183.6 weeks of follow-up," Non-DMARDs Median "59.40 weeks of follow-up," P = 0.0097. Graph D Biologic agents Median "0.5172 recurrences per year," Non-Biologic agents Median: "0.7814 recurrences per year," P = 0.1509. Biologic agents Median "240.6 weeks of follow-up," Non-Biologic agents Median "133.1 weeks of follow-up," P = 0.0346. Graph E Immunosuppressants Median "0.6833 recurrences per year," Non-Immunosuppressants Median: "1.150 recurrences per year," P = 0.4252. Immunosuppressants Median "166.0 weeks of follow-up," Non-Immunosuppressant agents Median "73.60 weeks of follow-up," P = 0.0441