Treatment of Early Aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis (TEAR) — TEAR  

Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trial

Official title: Treatment of Early Aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis (TEAR)

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to 1)to determine if it is better to treat all early RA patients with methotrexate in combination with hydroxychloroquine plus sulfasalazine or in combination with etanercept or reserve this treatment for patients who do not appropriately respond to methotrexate alone and 2) to determine which combination of methotrexate therapy is better

Clinical Trial Description

The ultimate goal of RA is to eliminate symptoms, restoring the patient to normal physical, social, emotional, and vocational function, and preserving the structure and integrity of joints. While disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have long been the cornerstone of RA therapy, the limitations of DMARDs have become increasingly apparent and investigators continue to gain insight into the pathogenesis of this disease. Recent evidence suggests that treatment earlier in the disease process with more aggressive approaches results in superior long-term outcomes compared to less intensive treatment regimens. Specifically, there is growing interest in the possibility that early "aggressive" treatment with combinations of DMARDs as initial treatment in efforts to potentially reduce the proportion of patients that advance to severe disability. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Arthritis
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• NCT number: NCT00259610
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: May 2004
• Completion date: June 2009