Table 3.
Six-months response in disease activity measures and patient-reported physical function*
| Outcomes | Switched to RTX | Switched to anti-TNF | P† |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disease activity measures | |||
| Patients, no. | 387 | 941 | |
| Baseline DAS28 score | 6.2 (6.1, 6.3) | 5.9 (5.8, 6.0) | < 0.001 |
| Six-months DAS28 score | 4.9 (4.7, 5.0) | 4.7 (4.6, 4.8) | 0.15 |
| Change in DAS28 score | −1.3 (−1.5, −1.2) | −1.2 (−1.3, −1.1) | 0.12 |
| EULAR response, no. (%) | |||
| Good | 66 (17.1) | 127 (13.5) | 0.04 |
| Moderate | 146 (37.7) | 318 (33.8) | |
| None | 175 (45.2) | 496 (52.7) | |
| Achieving remission | 28 (7.24) | 98 (10.4) | 0.07 |
| Physical function outcomes | |||
| Patients, no. | 244 | 693 | – |
| Baseline HAQ score | 1.99 (1.91, 2.07) | 1.96 (1.92, 2.00) | 0.49 |
| Six-months HAQ score | 1.86 (1.78, 1.95) | 1.85 (1.80, 1.90) | 0.81 |
| Change in HAQ score | −0.13 (−0.17, −0.08) | −0.11 (−0.13, −0.08) | 0.51 |
| Patients achieving 0.22-unit improvement in HAQ score, no. (%) | 94 (38.4) | 205 (29.6) | 0.01 |
*
Values are the mean (95% confidence interval) unless otherwise indicated. RTX = rituximab; anti-TNF = anti–tumor necrosis factor; DAS28 = Disease Activity Score in 28 joints; EULAR = European League Against Rheumatism; HAQ = Health Assessment Questionnaire.
†
Test of significance between patients switched to RTX or a second alternative anti-TNF therapy.