Effects of the second TNF blocking agent. Values are means (standard deviation) unless stated otherwise.
| Outcomes | Nonresponse (A) n = 49 | Loss of Response (B) n = 75 | Adverse Events (C) n = 73 | p, A vs B | p, A vs C | p, B vs C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary outcome | ||||||
| Change of DAS28 at 6 mo | –1.3 (1.3) | –0.6 (1.3) | –1.0 (1.4) | 0.965* | 0.219* | 0.173* |
| Secondary outcomes | ||||||
| Change of DAS28 at 3 mo | –1.2 (1.0) | –0.7 (1.3) | –0.8 (1.4) | 0.901* | 0.608* | 0.499* |
| Response at 3 mo | ||||||
| Good (%) | 7/44 (16) | 3/38 (8) | 7/46 (15) | 0.269 | 0.928 | 0.302 |
| Moderate (%) | 18/44 (41) | 13/38 (34) | 14/46 (30) | 0.533 | 0.299 | 0.712 |
| DAS28 at 3 mo ≤ 3.2 (%) | 8/44 (18) | 7/44 (16) | 13/49 (27) | 0.777 | 0.336 | 0.213 |
| Response at 6 mo | ||||||
| Good (%) | 4/33 (12) | 7/41 (17) | 7/40 (18) | 0.552 | 0.523 | 0.959 |
| Moderate (%) | 18/33 (55) | 14/41 (34) | 14/40 (35) | 0.078 | 0.094 | 0.936 |
| DAS28 at 6 mo ≤ 3.2 (%) | 5/33 (15) | 11/41 (27) | 11/43 (26) | 0.225 | 0.269 | 0.897 |
↵* Based on the multiple linear regression analyses in which the raw data were corrected for difference between the groups in DAS28 at baseline and use of corticosteroids. DAS28 scores were missing at baseline, at 3 or 6 months of the second TNF blocking agent in, respectively, 2% (1/49), 6% (3/47), and 23% (10/43) of A; in 9% (7/75), 37% (26/70), and 32% (18/57) of B; and in 12% (9/73), 25% (16/65), and 23% (13/56) of C. Improvement in DAS28 score and response rates could not be calculated due to missing values at baseline and/or at 3 or 6 months in, respectively, 6% (3/47) and 23% (10/43) of A; in 46% (32/70) and 28% (16/57) of B; and in 29% (19/65) and 29% (16/56) of C. DAS28: Disease Activity Score 28 joints.