Overview of radiologic efficacy of new treatments.
Randomized, double-blind trials on new treatments, including anakinra, etanercept, infliximab, and leflunomide, show convincing reduction in radiographic progression. The relative efficacy of these new treatments is unknown. Head-to-head comparisons have not been performed and comparing treatment arms across trials has several pitfalls. These possible pitfalls are discussed.
van der Heijde
D M F M
DM
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. dhe@sint.azm.nl
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077339:Leflunomide; D011859:Radiography; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007555:Isoxazoles; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D000069285:Infliximab; D000077339:Leflunomide; D000068800:Etanercept