Mean changes from baseline in the ACR core set variables at week 24 (adjusted means; ITT population)
| ACR core set variables | Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg(n = 286) | Methotrexate(n = 284) | Treatment difference(95% CI) | Superiority criteria met |
| SJC | −11.7 | −8.2 | −3.5 (−5.2 to −1.7) | Yes |
| TJC | −17.2 | −13.9 | −3.3 (−5.9 to −0.6) | Yes |
| Patient’s global VAS (mm) | −34.5 | −30.7 | −3.8 (−8.9 to 1.3) | No |
| Physician’s global VAS (mm) | −41.3 | −31.7 | −9.6 (−13.5 to −5.6) | Yes |
| Patient’s pain VAS (mm) | −31.9 | −29.9 | −2.0 (−6.9 to 3.0) | No |
| CRP (mg/dl) | −2.8 | −1.9 | −0.9 (−1.5 to −0.3) | Yes |
| ESR (mm/h) | −37.3 | −16.1 | −21.1 (−26.0 to −16.2) | Yes |
| HAQ-DI | −0.7 | −0.5 | −0.2 (−0.3 to −0.1) | Yes |
ACR, American College of Rheumatology; CI, confidence interval; CRP, C-reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ-DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index; ITT, intention to treat; SJC, swollen join count; TJC, tender joint count; VAS, visual analogue scale.