A Phase 4 Trial Assessing the ImPact of Residual Inflammation Detected Via Imaging TEchniques, Drug Levels and Patient Characteristics on the Outcome of Dose TaperIng of Adalimumab in Clinical Remission Rheumatoid ArThritis (RA) Subjects

Synovitis was assessed in three wrist regions (the distal radioulnar joint; the radiocarpal joint; the intercarpal and carpometacarpal joints) and in each Metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) joint. The first carpometacarpal joint and the first MCP joint are not scored. The scale is 0-3. Score 0 is normal, and 1-3 (mild, moderate, severe) are by thirds of the presumed maximum volume of enhancing tissue in the synovial compartment. Flare is defined as an increase from Double-blind Baseline in DAS (Disease Activity Score) 28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of > 0.6 AND DAS28 [ESR] > 2.6, OR an increase in DAS28 (ESR) of ≥ 1.2 irrespective of the resulting DAS28 [ESR]. The association between baseline hand and wrist synovitis RAMRIS score and occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis flare up to Week 40 in the Tapering arm was examined using logistic regression, and the 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio was calculated.

Bone marrow edema in each bone was scored separately. The scale is 0-3 based on the proportion of bone with edema, as follows-0: no edema; 1: 1-33% of bone edematous; 2: 34-66% of bone edematous; 3: 67-100%. Flare is defined as an increase from Double-blind Baseline in DAS (Disease Activity Score) 28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of > 0.6 AND DAS28 [ESR] > 2.6, OR an increase in DAS28 (ESR) of ≥ 1.2 irrespective of the resulting DAS28 [ESR]. The association between baseline bone marrow edema rheumatoid arthritis MRI scoring system (RAMRIS) score and occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis flare up to Week 40 in the Tapering arm was examined using logistic regression, and the 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio was calculated.

The composite score is the sum of the baseline hand and wrist synovitis and bone marrow edema RAMRIS scores. Flare is defined as an increase from Double-blind Baseline in DAS (Disease Activity Score) 28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of > 0.6 AND DAS28 [ESR] > 2.6, OR an increase in DAS28 (ESR) of ≥ 1.2 irrespective of the resulting DAS28 [ESR]. The association between the composite baseline hand and wrist synovitis score and baseline bone marrow edema rheumatoid arthritis MRI scoring system (RAMRIS) score and occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis flare up to Week 40 in the Tapering arm was examined using logistic regression, and the 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio was calculated.

Time to flare was defined as the number of weeks from the date of the first dose of study drug in the Double-blind period to the date of flare.

Physicians rated the severity of flare at the Flare Week 0 visit from 0 (not severe) to 10 (very severe). The number of participants within each level of flare severity is presented.

Participants rated the severity of flare at the Flare Week 0 visit from 0 (not severe) to 10 (very severe). The number of participants within each level of flare severity is presented.

Flare was defined as an increase from Double-blind Baseline in DAS (Disease Activity Score) 28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of > 0.6 AND DAS28 [ESR] > 2.6, OR an increase in DAS28 (ESR) of ≥ 1.2 irrespective of the resulting DAS28 [ESR].

The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) is a validated index of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. Twenty-eight tender joint counts, 28 swollen joint counts, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; mm/hour), and the participant's assessment of global disease activity (on a visual analog scale [VAS] from 0 to 10 cm) are included in the DAS28 (ESR) score. Scores on the DAS28 range from 0 to 10; higher scores indicate more disease activity. Clinical remission was defined as DAS28 (ESR) < 2.6.

The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) is a validated index of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. Twenty-eight tender joint counts, 28 swollen joint counts, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; mm/hour), and the participant's assessment of global disease activity (on a visual analog scale [VAS] from 0 to 10 cm) are included in the DAS28 (ESR) score. Scores on the DAS28 range from 0 to 10; higher scores indicate more disease activity. Clinical remission was defined as DAS28 (ESR) < 2.6. Time to clinical remission was defined as the number of weeks from the occurrence of flare to the first date of clinical remission.

The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) is a validated index of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. Twenty-eight tender joint counts, 28 swollen joint counts, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; mm/hour), and the participant's assessment of global disease activity (on a visual analog scale [VAS] from 0 to 10 cm) are included in the DAS28 (ESR) score. Scores on the DAS28 range from 0 to 10; higher scores indicate more disease activity. Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

The CDAI is a validated measure of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. Twenty-eight tender joint counts, 28 swollen joint counts, global health assessed by the participant on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 (cm), and global health assessed by an investigator on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 (cm) were included in the CDAI score. Scores on the CDAI range from 0 to 76; higher scores indicate more disease activity. Negative values indicate improvement from the Double-blind baseline score.

The SDAI is a validated measure of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. Twenty-eight tender joint counts, 28 swollen joint counts, global health assessed by the participant on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 (cm), global health assessed by an investigator on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 (cm), and serum levels of C-reactive protein levels (mg/dL) were included in the SDAI score. Scores on the SDAI range from 0 to 86; higher scores indicate more disease activity. Negative values indicate improvement from the Double-blind baseline score.

The maintenance of clinical remission after regaining remission during the Open-label rescue period was defined as either Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28 ESR) < 2.6, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) score ≤ 3.3, or Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score ≤ 2.8).

Synovitis was assessed in three wrist regions (the distal radioulnar joint; the radiocarpal joint; the intercarpal and carpometacarpal joints) and in each Metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) joint. The first carpometacarpal joint and the first MCP joint are not scored. The scale is 0-3. Score 0 is normal, and 1-3 (mild, moderate, severe) are by thirds of the presumed maximum volume of enhancing tissue in the synovial compartment.

Bone edema in each bone was scored separately. The scale is 0-3 based on the proportion of bone with edema, as follows-0: no edema; 1: 1-33% of bone edematous; 2: 34-66% of bone edematous; 3: 67-100%.

Bone erosions in each bone (wrists: carpal bones, distal radius, distal ulna, metacarpal bases; MCP joints: metacarpal heads, phalangeal bases) were scored separately. The scale is 0-10, based on the proportion of eroded bone compared to the ''assessed bone volume'', judged on all available images-0: no erosion; 1: 1-10% of bone eroded; 2; 11-20%, etc.

The Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI) is a participant-reported questionnaire specific for rheumatoid arthritis. It consists of 20 questions referring to eight domains: dressing/grooming, arising, eating, walking, hygiene, reach, grip, and daily activities. Participants assessed their ability to do each task over the past week using the following response categories: without any difficulty (0); with some difficulty (1); with much difficulty (2); and unable to do (3). Scores on each task were summed and averaged to provide an overall score ranging from 0 to 3, where zero represents no disability and three very severe, high-dependency disability. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) defined for the HAQ-DI is ≥ 0.22.

The Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI) is a participant-reported questionnaire specific for rheumatoid arthritis. It consists of 20 questions referring to eight domains: dressing/grooming, arising, eating, walking, hygiene, reach, grip, and daily activities. Participants assessed their ability to do each task over the past week using the following response categories: without any difficulty (0); with some difficulty (1); with much difficulty (2); and unable to do (3). Scores on each task were summed and averaged to provide an overall score ranging from 0 to 3, where zero represents no disability and three very severe, high-dependency disability. The number of participants with HAQ-DI score ≤ 0.5 (considered to be normal) was recorded.

The RAPID3 is an activity index derived from the Multi-dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MD-HAQ). It includes an assessment of physical function, a pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and a participant global assessment of disease activity VAS. The total RAPID3 score ranges from 0 to 30 where higher scores represent severe disease. Negative values indicate improvement from the Double-blind baseline score.

The RAPID3 is an activity index derived from the Multi-dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MD-HAQ). It includes an assessment of physical function, a pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and a participant global assessment of disease activity VAS. The total RAPID3 score ranges from 0 to 30 where higher scores represent severe disease. Negative values indicate improvement from the Double-blind baseline score.

Twenty-eight joints, excluding hip joints, were assessed for swelling by physical examination. Swelling of each joint was classified as present (1) or absent (0), for a total possible score of 0 (0 joints with swelling) to 28 (worst possible score/28 joints with swelling). Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Sixty-six joints were assessed for swelling by physical examination. Swelling of each joint was classified as present (1) or absent (0), for a total possible score of 0 (0 joints with swelling) to 66 (worst possible score/66 joints with swelling). Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Twenty-eight joints were assessed for tenderness by physical examination. Pain or tenderness of each joint was classified as present (1) or absent (0), for a total possible score of 0 (0 joints with tenderness) to 28 (worst possible score/28 joints with tenderness). Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Sixty-eight joints were assessed for tenderness by physical examination. Pain or tenderness of each joint was classified as present (1) or absent (0), for a total possible score of 0 (0 joints with tenderness) to 68 (worst possible score/68 joints with tenderness). Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Participants rated the severity of their rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and how well they were doing during the last 24 hours by placing a vertical mark on a line with a range of 0 (very well) to 100 mm (very poorly). Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Participants rated the severity of their rheumatoid arthritis pain in the past week by placing a vertical mark on a line with a range of 0 (no pain) to 100 mm (severe pain). Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Physicians assessed participants' current rheumatoid arthritis disease activity at the time of the visit (independent of the participant's self-assessment) by placing a vertical mark on a line with a range of 0 (very low) to 100 mm (very high). Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

The duration of morning stiffness was reported by participants as the average daily length during the past week in minutes (from time of awaking to time of maximal improvement). Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Morning stiffness severity was assessed by a numeric rating-scale (NRS). Participants rated the severity of morning stiffness during the past week from 0 to 10 with 0 representing "not severe" and 10 "very severe". Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Participants rated the severity of their sleep disturbance in the past week by placing a vertical mark on a line with a range of 0 (sleep is no problem) to 100 mm (sleep is a major problem). Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Participants completed the 14-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM; Version 1.4) to assess satisfaction with their current rheumatoid arthritis treatment over the previous 2-3 weeks or since the last time that they took the medication. The TSQM consists of fourteen items over four domains (effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction). The 14 questions are answered either with yes/no or by means of a five or seven stage scale (ranging from very unsatisfied to satisfied). TSQM Scale scores for each domain range from 0 to 100 and higher scores represent higher satisfaction. Negative values indicate worsening from baseline.

Participants completed the 14-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM; Version 1.4) to assess satisfaction with their current rheumatoid arthritis treatment over the previous 2-3 weeks or since the last time that they took the medication. The TSQM consists of fourteen items over four domains (effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction). The 14 questions are answered either with yes/no or by means of a five or seven stage scale (ranging from very unsatisfied to satisfied). TSQM Scale scores for each domain range from 0 to 100 and higher scores represent higher satisfaction. Negative values indicate worsening from baseline.

Participants completed the 14-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM; Version 1.4) to assess satisfaction with their current rheumatoid arthritis treatment over the previous 2-3 weeks or since the last time that they took the medication. The TSQM consists of fourteen items over four domains (effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction). The 14 questions are answered either with yes/no or by means of a five or seven stage scale (ranging from very unsatisfied to satisfied). TSQM Scale scores for each domain range from 0 to 100 and higher scores represent higher satisfaction. Negative values indicate worsening from baseline.

Participants completed the 14-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM; Version 1.4) to assess satisfaction with their current rheumatoid arthritis treatment over the previous 2-3 weeks or since the last time that they took the medication. The TSQM consists of fourteen items over four domains (effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction). The 14 questions are answered either with yes/no or by means of a five or seven stage scale (ranging from very unsatisfied to satisfied). TSQM Scale scores for each domain range from 0 to 100 and higher scores represent higher satisfaction. Negative values indicate worsening from baseline.

The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire for general health is a validated tool in rheumatoid arthritis consisting of 6 questions, based on participant recall of the previous 7 days. WPAI assesses work time missed due to illness (absenteeism), impairment at work due to health (presenteeism), overall work impairment due to health (an aggregate measure of both absenteeism and presenteeism), and total non-occupational activity impairment due to health. WPAI scores are expressed as impairment percentages, with higher scores indicating worse outcomes. A negative change from baseline indicates improvement.

The SF-36v2 is a non-disease specific Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) instrument. The SF-36v2 comprises 36 total items (questions) targeting a subject's functional health and well-being in 8 domains (physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health) with a recall period of four weeks. Domain scores are aggregated into a Physical Component Summary (PCS) score and a Mental Component Summary (MCS) score. SF-36v2 scores for each domain and PCS/MCS range from 0-100: higher scores indicate a better state of health and a decrease from baseline represents worsening.

The SF-36v2 is a non-disease specific Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) instrument. The SF-36v2 comprises 36 total items (questions) targeting a subject's functional health and well-being in 8 domains (physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health) with a recall period of four weeks. Domain scores are aggregated into a Physical Component Summary (PCS) score and a Mental Component Summary (MCS) score. SF-36v2 scores for each domain and PCS/MCS range from 0-100: higher scores indicate a better state of health and a decrease from baseline represents worsening.

The FACIT-Fatigue questionnaire is a participant questionnaire that consists of 13 questions designed to measure the degree of fatigue experienced by participants in the previous 7 days. Participants respond to the questions on a scale from 'not at all' (0) to 'very much' (4). The scale score is computed by summing the item scores, after reversing those items that are worded in the negative direction. The FACIT-Fatigue subscale score ranges from 0 to 52, where higher scores represent less fatigue. A negative change from baseline indicates worsening.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP; mg/L) was measured from blood samples as a marker for inflammation. Higher levels are indicative of more inflammation. Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; mm/hour) indirectly measures how much inflammation is in the body. A higher ESR is indicative of increased inflammation. Negative values indicate improvement from baseline.