Patient baseline demographics and clinical characteristics (primary effectiveness population)
| Characteristic | Rituximab (n=405) | Alternative TNF inhibitor (n=323) | p Value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years), mean (SD) | 56.5 (12.6) | 54.7 (13.3) | 0.0611 |
| Female, n (%) | 310 (76.5) | 259 (80.2) | 0.2376 |
| RA duration (years), mean (SD) | 9.1 (7.7) | 7.8 (6.8) | 0.1044 |
| No of previous DMARDs, mean (SD) | 2.2 (1.1) | 2.3 (1.3) | 0.3853 |
| Receiving methotrexate, n (%) | 199 (49.1) | 180 (55.7) | 0.0769 |
| Methotrexate dose (mg/week), mean (SD) | 13.3 (4.9) | 14.4 (9.4) | 0.1774 |
| Receiving corticosteroid, n (%) | 293 (72.3) | 229 (70.9) | 0.6666 |
| Duration of previous TNF inhibitor therapy (months), mean (SD) | 27.4 (25.9) | 26.3 (26.6) | 0.6478 |
| RF positive, n (%) | 318 (84.1) | 204 (65.6) | <0.0001 |
| ACPA positive, n (%) | 172 (69.1) | 133 (59.4) | 0.0277 |
| Seropositive (RF+ or ACPA+), n (%) | 331 (81.7) | 228 (70.6) | 0.0004 |
| DAS28-3–ESR, mean (SD) | 5.2 (1.2) | 4.8 (1.3) | <0.0001 |
| ESR (mm/h), mean (SD) | 38.9 (26.7) | 32.5 (24.7) | 0.0023 |
| CRP (mg/L), mean (SD) | 26.1 (41.4) | 23.8 (39.7) | 0.4856 |
| SJC (28 joints), mean (SD) | 7.5 (5.5) | 6.1 (5.6) | 0.0024 |
| TJC (28 joints), mean (SD) | 10.2 (7.1) | 8.2 (6.8) | 0.0008 |
| HAQ-DI, mean (SD) | 1.5 (0.8) | 1.3 (0.8) | 0.0945 |
*Analysis of covariance or χ2 test.
ACPA, anti-citrullinated protein antibody; CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS28-3, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints excluding patient's global health component; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ-DI, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RF, rheumatoid factor; SJC, swollen joint count; TJC, tender joint count; TNF, tumour necrosis factor.