| Study | Interventions/groups | n | Medication at the start | Frequency of assessment | Inclusion criteria | Disease duration |
| FIN-RACo | Combination therapy*Mono therapy | 9798 | SSZ, MTX, HCQ, prednSSZ ± predn | 3 months (variable)3/6 months (clinical decision/variable) | ARA criteria RA, 18–65 yr,symptoms <2 yr, active disease ⩾3 SJ and 3 of: ⩾28 mm/h ESR or ⩾19 mg/l CRP, ⩾29 min/ms, >5 SJ or >10 TJ | <2 yr |
| TICORA | Intensive management* | 55 | DMARD, i.a. steroid | 1 month (DAS) | 18–75 yr, disease duration | <5 yr |
| Routine management | 55 | DMARD mono | 3 months (clinical decision) | <5 yr, active disease (DAS>2.4) | ||
| BeSt | Sequential mono therapy* | 126 | MTX | 3 months (DAS44) | ACR criteria RA, ⩾18 yr, | ⩽2 yr |
| Step-up combination therapy* | 121 | MTX | 3 months (DAS44) | disease duration ⩽2 yr, active | ||
| Initial combination therapy + h.d. predn*Initial combination therapy + infliximab* | 133128 | MTX, SSZ, prednMTX, infliximab | 3 months (DAS44)3 months (DAS44) | disease: ⩾6 of 66 SJ, ⩾6 of 68TJ, ⩾28 mm/h ESR, ⩾20 mmVAS global health | ||
| CAMERA | Intensive strategy group* | 151 | MTX | 1 month (computer decision program) | ACR criteria RA, >16 yr, earlyRA (<1 yr) | <1 yr |
| Conventional strategy group | 148 | MTX | 3 months (clinical decision) |
*Based on tight control treatment.
ACR criteria RA, American College of Rheumatism criteria for rheumatoid arthritis; ARA criteria RA, American Rheumatism Association criteria for rheumatoid arthritis; BeSt, Behandel Strategieën; CAMERA, Computer Assisted Management of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis; CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS, disease activity score; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; FIN-RACo, Finnish Rheumatoid Arthritis Combination Therapy; HCQ, hydroxychloroquine; h.d., high-dose; i.a., intra-articular; ms, morning stiffness; MTX, methotrexate; predn, prednisone; SJ, swollen joints; SSZ, sulfasalazine; TICORA, Tight Control of Rheumatoid Arthritis; TJ, tender joints; VAS, visual analogue scale; yr, year(s).