Table 2.
Mean difference in DAS28 between initial treatment strategy groups over 5 years and at the end of every year (n = 226)
| Period and strategy comparison | Mean difference | 95% CI of mean difference |
|---|---|---|
| Over 5 years | ||
| TCZ+MTX vs MTX | −0.11 | −0.32, 0.10 |
| TCZ vs MTX | −0.12 | −0.32, 0.09 |
| TCZ+MTX vs TCZ | 0.00 | −0.20, 0.21 |
| 1 | ||
| TCZ+MTX vs MTX | −0.75 | −0.89, −0.61 |
| TCZ vs MTX | −0.65 | −0.79, −0.51 |
| TCZ+MTX vs TCZ | −0.10 | −0.23, 0.04 |
| 2 | ||
| TCZ+MTX vs MTX | −0.63 | −0.77, −0.49 |
| TCZ vs MTX | −0.55 | −0.69, −0.40 |
| TCZ+MTX vs TCZ | −0.08 | 0.23, 0.06 |
| 3 | ||
| TCZ+MTX vs MTX | 0.07 | −0.19, 0.33 |
| TCZ vs MTX | 0.09 | −0.17, 0.34 |
| TCZ+MTX vs TCZ | −0.02 | −0.27, 0.24 |
| 4 | ||
| TCZ+MTX vs MTX | 0.09 | −0.17, 0.35 |
| TCZ vs MTX | 0.10 | −0.16, 0.36 |
| TCZ+MTX vs TCZ | −0.01 | −0.27, 0.24 |
| 5 | ||
| TCZ+MTX vs MTX | 0.11 | −0.16, 0.37 |
| TCZ vs MTX | 0.12 | −0.14, 0.38 |
| TCZ+MTX vs TCZ | −0.01 | −0.27, 0.25 |
All analyses were corrected for baseline DAS28 category (DAS28 <5.1 or ≥5.1) and centre. Outcomes are based on mixed model analyses with random intercept for repeated measurements, and fixed effects for treatment arm, visit week, interaction visit week × treatment arm. DAS28: disease activity score assessing 28 joints; MTX: methotrexate + placebo–tocilizumab initiation strategy group; TCZ: tocilizumab + placebo–methotrexate initiation strategy group; TCZ+MTX: tocilizumab + methotrexate initiation strategy group.