Similar effects of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, glucocorticoids, and biologic agents on radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: Meta-analysis of 70 randomized placebo-controlled or drug-controlled studies, including 112 comparisons

Arthritis and Rheumatism

Volumn 62, Issue 10, 2010, Pages 2852-2863

  Graudal, Niels ^a   Jürgens, Gesche ^b  

^a Rigshospitalet   (Denmark)

^b BISPEBJERG HOSPITAL   (Denmark)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ABATACEPT; ADALIMUMAB; AZATHIOPRINE; BIOLOGICAL PRODUCT; CERTOLIZUMAB PEGOL; CHLOROQUINE; CYCLOSPORIN A; DISEASE MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUG; ETANERCEPT; GLUCOCORTICOID; GOLD; INFLIXIMAB; LEFLUNOMIDE; METHOTREXATE; PENICILLAMINE; RECOMBINANT INTERLEUKIN 1 RECEPTOR BLOCKING AGENT; RITUXIMAB; SALAZOSULFAPYRIDINE; TOCILIZUMAB;

ARTICLE; BONE RADIOGRAPHY; CLINICAL TRIAL; DISEASE COURSE; DRUG EFFECT; DRUG EFFICACY; HUMAN; JOINT DESTRUCTION; META ANALYSIS; PRIORITY JOURNAL; RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS; SYSTEMATIC REVIEW; TREATMENT OUTCOME;

ANTIRHEUMATIC AGENTS; ARTHRITIS, RHEUMATOID; BIOLOGICAL FACTORS; DISEASE PROGRESSION; DRUG EVALUATION; DRUG THERAPY, COMBINATION; GLUCOCORTICOIDS; HUMANS; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS AS TOPIC;

EID: 77957690264     PISSN: 00043591     EISSN: 15290131     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1002/art.27592     Document Type: Article

References (88)

1. Emery P, Breedveld FC, Hall S, Durez P, Chang DJ, Robertson D, et al. Comparison of methotrexate monotherapy with a combination of methotrexate and etanercept in active, early, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (COMET): a randomised, double-blind, parallel treatment trial. Lancet 2008;372:375-82.
2. Goekoop-Ruiterman YP, de Vries-Bouwstra JK, Allaart CF, van Zeben D, Kerstens PJ, Hazes JM, et al. Clinical and radiographic outcomes of four different treatment strategies in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (the BeSt study): a randomized, controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum 2005;52:3381-90.
3. Saag KG, Teng GG, Patkar NM, Anuntiyo J, Finney C, Curtis JR, et al. American College of Rheumatology 2008 recommendations for the use of nonbiologic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 2008;59:762-84.
4. Graudal N, Tarp U, Jurik AG, Galloe AM, Garred P, Milman N, et al. Inflammatory patterns in rheumatoid arthritis estimated by the number of swollen and tender joints, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and hemoglobin: longterm course and association to radiographic progression. J Rheumatol 2000;27:47-57.
5. Graudal N. The natural history and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis: association of radiographic outcome with process variables, joint motion and immune proteins. Scand J Rheumatol Suppl 2004;1-38.
6. Larsen A, Dale K, Eek M. Radiographic evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions by standard reference films. Acta Radiol Diagn (Stockh) 1977;18:481-91.
7. Sharp JT, Lidsky MD, Collins LC, Moreland J. Methods of scoring the progression of radiologic changes in rheumatoid arthritis: correlation of radiologic, clinical and laboratory abnormalities. Arthritis Rheum 1971;14:706-20.
8. Graudal NA, Jurik AG, de Carvalho A, Graudal HK. Radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: a long-term prospective study of 109 patients. Arthritis Rheum 1998;41:1470-80.
9. Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gotzsche PC, Ioannidis JP, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate healthcare interventions: explanation and elaboration. BMJ 2009;339:b2700.
10. Ropes MW, Bennett GA, Cobb S, Jacox R, Jessar RA. 1958 revision of diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. Bull Rheum Dis 1958;9:175-6.
11. Arnett FC, Edworthy SM, Bloch DA, McShane DJ, Fries JF, Cooper NS, et al. The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1988;31:315-24.
12. Goekoop-Ruiterman YP, de Vries-Bouwstra JK, Allaart CF, van Zeben D, Kerstens PJ, Hazes JM, et al. Comparison of treatment strategies in early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2007;146:406-15.
13. The Nordic Cochrane Centre. What data to collect (participants and settings). In: Higgins JP, Green S, editors. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions version 5.0.1. The Cochrane Collaboration; 2009. URL: www.cochrane-handbook.org.
14. Smolen JS, Kalden JR, Scott DL, Rozman B, Kvien TK, Larsen A, et al. Efficacy and safety of leflunomide compared with placebo and sulphasalazine in active rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind randomised, multicentre trial. Lancet 1999;353:259-66.
15. Strand V, Cohen S, Schiff M, Weaver A, Fleischmann R, Cannon G, et al, for the Leflunomide Rheumatoid Arthritis Investigators Group. Treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis with leflunomide compared with placebo and methotrexate. Arch Intern Med 1999;159:2542-50.
16. Emery P, Breedveld FC, Lemmel EM, Kaltwasser JP, Dawes PT, Gomor B, et al. A comparison of the efficacy and safety of leflunomide and methotrexate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2000;39:655-65.
17. Dougados M, Combe B, Cantagrel A, Goupille P, Olive P, Schattenkirchner M, et al. Combination therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised, controlled, double blind 52 week clinical trial of sulphasalazine and methotrexate compared with the single components. Ann Rheum Dis 1999;58:220-5.
18. Hamdy H, McKendry RJ, Mierins E, Liver JA. Low-dose methotrexate compared with azathioprine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a twenty-four-week controlled clinical trial. Arthritis Rheum 1987;30:361-8.
19. Drosos AA, Voulgari PV, Papadopoulos IA, Politi EN, Georgiou PE, Zikou AK. Cyclosporine A in the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective, randomized 24-month study. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1998;16:695-701.
20. Jeurissen ME, Boerbooms AM, Van de Putte LB, Doesburg WH, Lemmens AM. Influence of methotrexate and azathioprine on radiologic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind study. Ann Intern Med 1991;114:999-1004.
21. Lopez-Mendez A, Daniel WW, Reading JC, Ward JR, Alarcon GS. Radiographic assessment of disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis patients enrolled in the Cooperative Systematic Studies of the Rheumatic Diseases program randomized clinical trial of methotrexate, auranofin, or a combination of the two. Arthritis Rheum 1993;36:1364-9.
22. Marchesoni A, Battafarano N, Arreghini M, Pellerito R, Cagnoli M, Prudente P, et al. Step-down approach using either cyclosporin A or methotrexate as maintenance therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 2002;47:59-66.
23. Van Jaarsveld CH, Jacobs JW, van der Veen MJ, Blaauw AA, Kruize AA, Hofman DM, et al. Aggressive treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis 2000;59:468-77.
24. Rau R, Herborn G, Menninger H, Sangha O. Progression in early erosive rheumatoid arthritis: 12 month results from a randomized controlled trial comparing methotrexate and gold sodium thiomalate. Br J Rheumatol 1998;37:1220-6.
25. Weinblatt ME, Polisson R, Blotner SD, Sosman JL, Aliabadi P, Baker N, et al. The effects of drug therapy on radiographic progression of rheumatoid arthritis: results of a 36-week randomized trial comparing methotrexate and auranofin. Arthritis Rheum 1993;36:613-9.
26. Svensson B, Pettersson H. Reumacon (CPH82) showed similar x-ray progression and clinical effects as methotrexate in a two year comparative study on patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 2003;32:83-8.
27. Svensson B, Ahlmen M, Forslind K. Treatment of early RA in clinical practice: a comparative study of two different DMARD/corticosteroid options. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2003;21:327-32.
28. Van der Heijde DM, van Riel PL, Nuver-Zwart IH, Gribnau FW, van de Putte LB. Effects of hydroxychloroquine and sulphasalazine on progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1989;8646:1036-8.
29. Bunch TW, O'Duffy JD, Tompkins RB, O'Fallon WM. Controlled trial of hydroxychloroquine and D-penicillamine singly and in combination in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1984;27:267-76.
30. Van Riel PL, Larsen A, van de Putte LB, Gribnau FW. Effects of aurothioglucose and auranofin on radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol 1986;5:359-64.
31. Jessop JD, O'Sullivan MM, Lewis PA, Williams LA, Camilleri JP, Plant MJ, et al. A long-term five-year randomized controlled trial of hydroxychloroquine, sodium aurothiomalate, auranofin and penicillamine in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1998;37:992-1002.
32. Zeidler HK, Kvien TK, Hannonen P, Wollheim FA, Forre O, Geidel H, et al. Progression of joint damage in early active severe rheumatoid arthritis during 18 months of treatment: comparison of low-dose cyclosporin and parenteral gold. Br J Rheumatol 1998;37:874-82.
33. Pasero G, Priolo F, Marubini E, Fantini F, Ferraccioli G, Magaro M, et al. Slow progression of joint damage in early rheumatoid arthritis treated with cyclosporin A. Arthritis Rheum 1996;39:1006-15.
34. Borg G, Allander E, Lund B, Berg E, Brodin U, Pettersson H, et al. Auranofin improves outcome in early rheumatoid arthritis: results from a 2-year, double blind placebo controlled study. J Rheumatol 1988;15:1747-54.
35. Choy EH, Scott DL, Kingsley GH, Williams P, Wojtulewski J, Papasavvas G, et al. Treating rheumatoid arthritis early with disease modifying drugs reduces joint damage: a randomised double blind trial of sulphasalazine vs diclofenac sodium. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2002;20:351-8.
36. Eberhardt K, Rydgren L, Fex E, Svensson B, Wollheim FA. D-penicillamine in early rheumatoid arthritis: experience from a 2-year double blind placebo controlled study. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1996;14:625-31.
37. Freedman A, Steinberg VL. Chloroquine in rheumatoid arthritis, a double blindfold trial of treatment for one year. Ann Rheum Dis 1960;19:243-50.
38. Forre O and the Norwegian Arthritis Study Group. Radiologic evidence of disease modification in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with cyclosporine: results of a 48-week multicenter study comparing low-dose cyclosporine with placebo. Arthritis Rheum 1994;37:1506-12.
39. Glennas A, Kvien TK, Andrup O, Clarke-Jensen O, Karstensen B, Brodin O. Auranofin is safe and superior to placebo in elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1997;36:870-7.
40. Gofton JP, O'Brien W. Roentgenographic findings during auranofin treatment. Am J Med 1983;75:142-4.
41. Gofton JP, O'Brien WM, Hurley JN, Scheffler BJ. Radiographic evaluation of erosion in rheumatoid arthritis: double blind study of auranofin vs placebo. J Rheumatol 1984;11:768-71.
42. Hannonen P, Mottonen T, Hakola M, Oka M. Sulfasalazine in early rheumatoid arthritis: a 48-week double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled study. Arthritis Rheum 1993;36:1501-9.
43. Lidsky MD, Sharp JT, Billings S. Double-blind study of cyclophosphamide in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1973;16:148-53.
44. Popert AJ, Meijers KA, Sharp J, Bier F. Chloroquine diphosphate in rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis 1961;20:18-35.
45. Sigler JW, Bluhm GB, Duncan H, Sharp JT, Ensign DC, McCrum WR, et al. Gold salts in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind study. Ann Intern Med 1974;80:21-6.
46. Van der Heide A, Jacobs JW, Bijlsma JW, Heurkens AH, van Booma-Frankfort C, van der Veen MJ, et al. The effectiveness of early treatment with "second-line" antirheumatic drugs: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1996;124:699-707.
47. Gerards AH, Landewe RB, Prins AP, Bruyn GA, Goei The HS, Laan RF, et al. Cyclosporin A monotherapy versus cyclosporin A and methotrexate combination therapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: a double blind randomised placebo controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis 2003;62:291-6.
48. Hetland ML, Stengaard-Pedersen K, Junker P, Lottenburger T, Hansen I, Andersen LS, et al. Aggressive combination therapy with intra-articular glucocorticoid injections and conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in early rheumatoid arthritis: second-year clinical and radiographic results from the CIMESTRA study. Ann Rheum Dis 2008;67:815-22.
49. Marchesoni A, Battafarano N, Arreghini M, Panni B, Gallazzi M, Tosi S. Radiographic progression in early rheumatoid arthritis: a 12-month randomized controlled study comparing the combination of cyclosporin and methotrexate with methotrexate alone. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2003;42:1545-9.
50. Sarzi-Puttini P, D'Ingianna E, Fumagalli M, Scarpellini M, Fiorini T, Cherie-Ligniere EL, et al. An open, randomized comparison study of cyclosporine A, cyclosporine A + methotrexate and cyclosporine A + hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of early severe rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 2005;25:15-22.
51. Scott DL, Dawes PT, Tunn E, Fowler PD, Shadforth MF, Fisher J, et al. Combination therapy with gold and hydroxychloroquine in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Br J Rheumatol 1989;28:128-33.
52. Choy EH, Smith CN, Farewell V, Walker D, Hassell A, Chau L, et al. Factorial randomised controlled trial of glucocorticoids and combination disease modifying drugs in early rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2008;67:656-63.
53. Calguneri M, Pay S, Caliskaner Z, Apras S, Kiraz S, Ertenli I, et al. Combination therapy versus monotherapy for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1999;17:699-704.
54. Grigor C, Capell H, Stirling A, McMahon AD, Lock P, Vallance R, et al. Effect of a treatment strategy of tight control for rheumatoid arthritis (the TICORA study): a single-blind randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2004;364:263-9.
55. Mottonen T, Hannonen P, Leirisalo-Repo M, Nissila M, Kautiainen H, Korpela M, et al. Comparison of combination therapy with single-drug therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised trial. FIN-RACo trial group. Lancet 1999;353:1568-73.
56. Proudman SM, Conaghan PG, Richardson C, Griffiths B, Green MJ, McGonagle D, et al. Treatment of poor-prognosis early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized study of treatment with methotrexate, cyclosporin A, and intraarticular corticosteroids compared with sulfasalazine alone. Arthritis Rheum 2000;43:1809-19.
57. Boers M, Verhoeven AC, Markusse HM, van de Laar MA, Westhovens R, van Denderen JC, et al. Randomised comparison of combined step-down prednisolone, methotrexate and sulphasalazine with sulphasalazine alone in early rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1997;350:309-18.
58. Capell HA, Madhok R, Hunter JA, Porter D, Morrison E, Larkin J, et al. Lack of radiological and clinical benefit over two years of low dose prednisolone for rheumatoid arthritis: results of a randomised controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis 2004;63:797-803.
59. Choy EH, Kingsley GH, Khoshaba B, Pipitone N, Scott DL. Intramuscular Methylprednisolone Study: a two year randomised controlled trial of intramuscular depot steroids in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis who have shown an incomplete response to disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64:1288-93.
60. Empire Rheumatism Council. Multi-centre controlled trial comparing cortisone acetate and acetyl salicylic acid in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: results up to one year. Ann Rheum Dis 1955;14:353-70.
61. Hansen M, Podenphant J, Florescu A, Stoltenberg M, Borch A, Kluger E, et al. A randomised trial of differentiated prednisolone treatment in active rheumatoid arthritis: clinical benefits and skeletal side effects. Ann Rheum Dis 1999;58:713-8.
62. Joint committee of the Medical Research Council and Nuffield Foundation on clinical trials of cortisone, ACTH, and other therapeutic measures in chronic rheumatic diseases. A comparison of prednisolone with aspirin or other analgesics in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 1959;18:173-88.
63. Kirwan JR for the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council Low-Dose Glucocorticoid Study Group. The effect of glucocorticoids on joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med 1995;333:142-7.
64. Svensson B, Boonen A, Albertsson K, van der Heijde D, Keller C, Hafstrom I, for the BARFOT Study Group. Low-dose prednisolone in addition to the initial disease-modifying antirheumatic drug in patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis reduces joint destruction and increases the remission rate: a two-year randomized trial. Arthritis Rheum 2005;52:3360-70.
65. Van Everdingen AA, Jacobs JW, Siewertsz Van Reesema DR, Bijlsma JW. Low-dose prednisone therapy for patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis: clinical efficacy, disease-modifying properties, and side effects: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Ann Intern Med 2002;136:1-12.
66. Van Gestel AM, Laan RF, Haagsma CJ, van de Putte LB, van Riel PL. Oral steroids as bridge therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients starting with parenteral gold: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Br J Rheumatol 1995;34:347-51.
67. Van Schaardenburg D, Valkema R, Dijkmans BA, Papapoulos S, Zwinderman AH, Han KH, et al. Prednisone treatment of elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis: disease activity and bone mass in comparison with chloroquine treatment. Arthritis Rheum 1995;38:334-42.
68. Wassenberg S, Rau R, Steinfeld P, Zeidler H, for the Low-Dose Prednisolone Therapy Study Group. Very low-dose prednisolone in early rheumatoid arthritis retards radiographic progression over two years: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum 2005;52:3371-80.
69. Klareskog L, van der Heijde D, de Jager JP, Gough A, Kalden J, Malaise M, et al. Therapeutic effect of the combination of etanercept and methotrexate compared with each treatment alone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: double-blind randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2004;363:675-81.
70. Lipsky PE, van der Heijde DM, St. Clair EW, Furst DE, Breedveld FC, Kalden JR, et al, for the for the Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Trial in Rheumatoid Arthritis with Concomitant Therapy Study Group. Infliximab and methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med 2000;343:1594-602.
71. St.Clair EW, van der Heijde DM, Smolen JS, Maini RN, Bathon JM, Emery P, et al, for the Active-Controlled Study of Patients Receiving Infliximab for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis of Early Onset Study Group. Combination of infliximab and methotrexate therapy for early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum 2004;50:3432-43.
72. Breedveld FC, Weisman MH, Kavanaugh AF, Cohen SB, Pavelka K, van Vollenhoven R, et al, for the PREMIER Investigators. The PREMIER study: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial of combination therapy with adalimumab plus methotrexate versus methotrexate alone or adalimumab alone in patients with early, aggressive rheumatoid arthritis who had not had previous methotrexate treatment. Arthritis Rheum 2006;54:26-37.
73. Keystone EC, Kavanaugh AF, Sharp JT, Tannenbaum H, Hua Y, Teoh LS, et al. Radiographic, clinical, and functional outcomes of treatment with adalimumab (a human anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis receiving concomitant methotrexate therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled, 52-week trial. Arthritis Rheum 2004;50:1400-11.
74. Keystone E, Heijde D, Mason D, Landewe R, Vollenhoven RV, Combe B, et al. Certolizumab pegol plus methotrexate is significantly more effective than placebo plus methotrexate in active rheumatoid arthritis: findings of a fifty-two-week, phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Arthritis Rheum 2008;58:3319-29.
75. Smolen JS, Landewe RB, Mease PJ, Brzezicki J, Mason D, Luijtens K, et al. Efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol plus methotrexate in active rheumatoid arthritis: the RAPID 2 Study: a randomised controlled trial. Ann Rheum Dis 2009;68:797-804.
76. Keystone EC, Emery P, Peterfy CG, Tak PP, Cohen S, Genovese MC, et al. Rituximab inhibits structural joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients with an inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitor therapies. Ann Rheum Dis 2009;68:216-21.
77. Kremer JM, Genant HK, Moreland LW, Russell AS, Emery P, Abud-Mendoza C, et al. Effects of abatacept in patients with methotrexate-resistant active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2006;144:865-76.
78. Westhovens R, Robles M, Ximenes AC, Nayiager S, Wollenhaupt J, Durez P, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of abatacept in methotrexate-naive patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and poor prognostic factors. Ann Rheum Dis 2009;68:1870-7.
79. Bathon JM, Martin RW, Fleischmann RM, Tesser JR, Schiff MH, Keystone EC, et al. A comparison of etanercept and methotrexate in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med 2000;343:1586-93.
80. Nishimoto N, Hashimoto J, Miyasaka N, Yamamoto K, Kawai S, Takeuchi T, et al. Study of active controlled monotherapy used for rheumatoid arthritis, an IL-6 inhibitor (SAMURAI): evidence of clinical and radiographic benefit from an x ray reader-blinded randomised controlled trial of tocilizumab. Ann Rheum Dis 2007;66:1162-7.
81. Bresnihan B, Alvaro-Gracia JM, Cobby M, Doherty M, Domljan Z, Emery P, et al. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Arthritis Rheum 1998;41:2196-204.
82. Bertele' V, Assisi A, Di Muzio V, Renzo D, Garattini S. New antirheumatic drugs: any real added value? A critical overview of regulatory criteria for their marketing approval. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2007;63:879-89.83.
83. Lassere M. Pooled metaanalysis of radiographic progression: comparison of Sharp and Larsen methods. J Rheumatol 2000;27:269-75.
84. Jones G, Halbert J, CrottyM, Shanahan EM, Batterham M, Ahern M. The effect of treatment on radiological progression in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2003;42:6-13.
85. Kirwan JR, Bijlsma JW, Boers M, Shea BJ. Effects of glucocorticoids on radiological progression in rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007;CD006356.
86. Braun J, Kastner P, Flaxenberg P, Wahrisch J, Hanke P, Demary W, et al, for the MC-MTX.6/RH Study Group. Comparison of the clinical efficacy and safety of subcutaneous versus oral administration of methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: results of a six-month, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled, phase IV trial. Arthritis Rheum 2008;58:73-81.
87. Nixon RM, Bansback N, Brennan A. Using mixed treatment comparisons and meta-regression to perform indirect comparisons to estimate the efficacy of biologic treatments in rheumatoid arthritis. Stat Med 2007;26:1237-54.
88. Smolen JS, Landewe R, Breedveld FC, Dougados M, Emery P, Gaujoux-Viala C, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Ann Rheum Dis 2010;69:964-75.