Summary of all included studies in the systematic review and the characteristics of patients
| Author (year) | Biologics | Biologic branch–MTX combination | RA duration (months) | Total subjects | MTX subjects | Biologic subjects* | Main outcome† | Biologics reported superior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathon et al (2000) | ETN | Monotherapy | 12 | 632 | 217 | 208/207 | ACR-N | N/Y† |
| Lee et al (2014) | TOFA | Monotherapy | 36 | 956 | 186 | 373/397 | ACR70 | Y |
| Breedveld et al (2006) | ADA | Monotherapy Combined | 8 | 799 | 257 | 274 268 | ACR50 mTSS | N Y |
| Burmester et al (2015) | TCZ | Monotherapy Combined | 6 | 1157 | 287 | 292 291 | DAS28 Remission | Y Y |
| Detert et al (2013)§ | ADA | Combined | 2 | 172 | 85 | 87 | DAS28 | Y |
| Durez et al (2007) | INF | Combined | 4 | 44 | 14 | 15 | MRI** | Y |
| Emery et al (2008) | ETN | Combined | 10 | 528 | 263 | 268 | DAS28 remission mTSS | Y |
| Emery et al (2009) | GLM | Monotherapy Combined | 48 | 637 | 160 | 159 159/159 | ACR change | N Y |
| Jones et al (2009)¶ | TCZ | Monotherapy | 72 | 673 | 284 | 288 | ACR20 | Y |
| Smolen et al (2014) | ADA | Combined | 3 | 1032 | 517 | 515 | DAS28 LDA | Y |
| St Clair et al (2004) | INF | Combined | 11 | 1049 | 298 | 373 | ACR-N | Y |
| Tak et al (2010) | RTX | Combined | 11 | 748 | 249 | 251 | mTSS | Y |
| Westhovens et al (2009) | ABA | Combined | 6 | 509 | 253 | 256 | DAS28 mTSS | Y |
*Two numbers in a same trial correspond to different dose branches.
**MRI was the main outcome, but clinical outcomes including DAS28 and ACR response were reported.
†Regarding clinical outcomes all trials except Bathon et al reported DAS28 as one of their outcomes and all trials measured ACR response.
‡Activity scores were not superior at follow-up but the study conclusion states that the biological is beneficial due to more rapid effect and less radiological progression.
§Trial not sponsored by industry.
¶There was also a branch that received placebo 12 weeks and then TCZ 12 weeks. It was not included due to the short follow-up using TCZ.
ABA, abatacept; ACR, American College of Rheumatology; ADA, adalimumab; Comb, combined therapy; CZP, certolizumab; DAS28, disease activity score 28; ETN, etanercept; GLM, golimumab; INF, infliximab; inj, injectable; LDA, low disease activity; Mono, monotherapy; mTSS, modified total Sharp Score; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; MTX, methotrexate; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RTX, rituximab; TCZ, tocilizumab; TOFA, tofacitinib.