A Study Comparing Infusion Rates of Tocilizumab in Patients With Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis

An infusion reaction was defined as any adverse event (AE) that occurred during the infusion or during the 24 hours following the infusion.

DAS28 calculated from the number of swollen joints and tender joints using the 28-joint count, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (millimeters per hour [mm/hr]) and Patient's Global Assessment of Disease (participant-rated arthritis activity assessment) with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity. DAS28 less than or equal to (≤)3.2 equals (=) low disease activity, DAS28 greater than (>)3.2 to 5.1 = moderate to high disease activity; DAS28 less than (<) 2.6 = remission. A reduction of at least 1.2 units was considered a clinically significant difference.

DAS28 calculated from the number of swollen joints and tender joints using the 28-joint count, the ESR (mm/hr), and Patient's Global Assessment of Disease (participant-rated arthritis activity assessment) with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity. DAS28 ≤3.2=low disease activity, DAS28 >3.2 to 5.1=moderate to high disease activity; DAS28 <2.6=remission.

DAS28 calculated from the number of swollen joints and tender joints using the 28-joint count, the ESR (mm/hr) and Patient's Global Assessment of Disease (participant-rated arthritis activity assessment) with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity. DAS28 ≤3.2=low disease activity, DAS28 >3.2 to 5.1=moderate to high disease activity; DAS28 <2.6=remission.

DAS28 calculated from the number of swollen joints and tender joints using the 28-joint count, the ESR (mm/hr) and Patient's Global Assessment of Disease (participant-rated arthritis activity assessment) with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity. DAS28 ≤3.2=low disease activity, DAS28 >3.2 to 5.1=moderate to high disease activity; DAS28 <2.6=remission. Last observation carried forward (LOCF) visit took the last non-missing post-baseline available value.

ACR20 response defined as an improvement of ≥20% in swollen joint count (SJC; 66 joints) and tender joint count (TJC; 68 joints) as well as ≥20% improvement in at least 3 of the following 5 remaining ACR assessments: Patient Global Assessment of Pain; Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity; Physician Global Assessment of Disease Activity; Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI); and acute phase reactive factors (ESR or C-Reactive Protein [CRP])

ACR50 response defined as an improvement of ≥50% in SJC (66 joints) and TJC (68 joints) as well as ≥50% improvement in at least 3 of the following 5 remaining ACR assessments: Patient Global Assessment of Pain; Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity; Physician Global Assessment of Disease Activity; HAQ-DI; and acute phase reactive factors (ESR or CRP).

ACR70 response defined as an improvement of ≥70% in SJC (66 joints) and TJC (68 joints) as well as ≥70% improvement in at least 3 of the following 5 remaining ACR assessments: Patient Global Assessment of Pain; Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity; Physician Global Assessment of Disease Activity; HAQ-DI; and acute phase reactive factors (ESR or CRP).

ACR90 response defined as an improvement of ≥90% in SJC (66 joints) and TJC (68 joints) as well as ≥90% improvement in at least 3 of the following 5 remaining ACR assessments: Patient Global Assessment of Pain; Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity; Physician Global Assessment of Disease Activity; HAQ-DI; and acute phase reactive factors (ESR or CRP).

CRP is an inflammation marker. High levels of this protein indicate inflammation in diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. CRP is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L).

ESR is an acute phase reactant measured in mm/hr. Reduction in ESR indicates improvement.

HAQ-DI is a self-reported, valid assessment of functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis. Assessment based on ability of participants to perform daily activities in 8 categories: dressing, arising, eating, walking, reaching, gripping, hygiene, and carrying out daily activities. HAQ-DI scores range: 0-3: without any difficulty=0, with some difficulty=1, with much difficulty=2, unable to do=3. HAQ-DI total scores expressed as overall mean score with range 0-3: 0-0.25=normal functioning; 0.25-0.5=mild functional limitation; 0.5-1=moderate functional limitation; more than 1=significant functional limitation.

HAQ-DI is a self-reported, valid assessment of functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis. Assessment based on ability of participants to perform daily activities in 8 categories: dressing, arising, eating, walking, reaching, gripping, hygiene, and carrying out daily activities. HAQ-DI scores range: 0-3: without any difficulty=0, with some difficulty=1, with much difficulty=2, unable to do=3. HAQ-DI total scores expressed as overall mean score with range 0-3: 0-0.25=normal functioning; 0.25-0.5=mild functional limitation; 0.5-1=moderate functional limitation; more than 1=significant functional limitation. An improvement of 0.22 units in HAQ-DI was considered to be a clinically significant improvement.