Data on the 90 low-risk patients were presented separately in a poster at the meeting. Patients in this arm included 43 patients who were randomized to receive methotrexate following a tight “step-up” glucocorticoid regimen and 47 patients who were randomized to the COBRA Slim schedule. Results showed that high remission rates were achieved with both regimens, but that the remission-induction achieved with the COBRA Slim strategy was associated with more rapid and sustained disease control. The safety of the two regimens was again comparable.
Dr. Verschueren holds the Pfizer Chair for Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Management at the KU Leuven. The study was conducted in partnership with various rheumatology centers in Flanders (Belgium) and benefited from the support of a Flemish governmental grant provided by the IWT (Innovatie door Wetenschapen Technologie).