An Open-label Study With Tocilizumab in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Local Environment

DAS28 calculated from the swollen joint count (SJC) and tender joint count (TJC) using the 28 joints count, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (millimeters per hour [mm/hour]) and participant's global assessment (PtGA) of disease activity by Visual analog Scale (VAS; 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 (LDA), DAS28 greater than (>) 3.2 to 5.1 = moderate to high disease activity. A reduction of at least 1.2 units in DAS28 was considered clinically significant improvement.

DAS28 calculated from the SJC and TJC using the 28 joints count, the ESR (mm/hour) and PtGA of disease activity (VAS) with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity. DAS28 less than (<) 3.2 = LDA.

DAS28 calculated from the SJC and TJC using the 28 joints count, the ESR (mm/hour) and PtGA of disease activity (VAS) with transformed scores ranging 0 to 10; higher scores indicated greater affectation due to disease activity. Participants were considered in remission when reaching a DAS28 score <2.6.

The ACR response rates ACR20/ACR50/ACR70 are defined as ≥20%, ≥50%, or ≥70% improvement, respectively, in SJC and TJC, as well as a ≥20%, ≥50%, or ≥70% improvement, respectively, in 3 of the 5 remaining core ACR assessments: 1) physician's global assessment of disease activity, 2) participant's assessment of disease activity, 3) participant's assessment of pain, 4) participant's assessment of functional disability via a Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and 5) C-reactive protein (CRP) at each visit.

The ACR response rates ACR20/ACR50/ACR70 are defined as ≥20%, ≥50%, or ≥70% improvement, respectively, in SJC and TJC, as well as a ≥20%, ≥50%, or ≥70% improvement, respectively, in 3 of the 5 remaining core ACR assessments: 1) physician's global assessment of disease activity, 2) participant's assessment of disease activity, 3) participant's assessment of pain, 4) participant's assessment of functional disability via (HAQ, and 5) CRP at each visit. The median time to achieve ACR20/ACR50/ACR70 was calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates.

28 joints were assessed for swelling and tenderness. Joints were classified as swollen (1)/not swollen (0) and tender (1)/not tender (0) giving a total possible SJC and TJC score of 0 to 28 each.

The participants assessed their pain using a 0 to 100 millimeter (mm) horizontal VAS. The left-hand extreme of the line equals 0 mm, and is described as "no pain" and the right-hand extreme equals 100 mm as "unbearable pain". The participants marked the line corresponding to their level of pain and the distance from the left edge was measured.

The participant's global assessment of disease activity was assessed using a 0 to 100 mm horizontal VAS by the participant. The left-hand extreme of the line equals 0 mm, and is described as "no disease activity" (symptom-free and no arthritis symptoms) and the right-hand extreme equals 100 mm, as "maximum disease activity" (maximum arthritis disease activity). The participants marked the line corresponding to their assessment of disease activity and the distance from the left edge was measured.

The physician's global assessment of disease activity was assessed using a 0 to 100 mm horizontal VAS by the physician. The left-hand extreme of the line equals 0 mm, and is described as "no disease activity" (symptom-free and no arthritis symptoms) and the right-hand extreme equals 100 mm, as "maximum disease activity" (maximum arthritis disease activity). The physician marked the line corresponding to their assessment of disease activity and the distance from the left edge was measured.

Physical function was assessed using the HAQ. The HAQ scores range from 0 to 3 with, 0: no assistance needed, 1: participant uses a special device for day-to-day activities, 2: participant usually needs help from another person, and 3: participant uses BOTH a special device AND another person's help for day-to-day activities.

CRP is an acute phase reactant and levels of CRP increase with inflammation. CRP is measured as milligrams per liter (mg/L).

ESR is an acute phase reactant and levels of ESR increase with inflammation. ESR is measured as mm/hour.