A Non-Interventional Study in Patients With Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With RoActemra/Actemra (Tocilizumab)

Dose modification was defined as an increase or decrease in the dose of study drug compared to the previous dose received. Interruption was defined as temporary or permanent discontinuation of study drug due to any reason, for example adverse event. Irregularity was defined as a time interval of greater than and equal to (>=) 75 days between two consecutive doses of study drug.

Participants were assessed for any comorbidity at study entry including anemia, fatigue, conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, C-reactive protein (CRP) level above upper limit of normal, rheumatoid nodules, rheumatoid vasculitis, interstitial lung disease, and so on. Number of participants with each comorbidity was reported. One participant could have presented with more than 1 comorbidity.

DAS28 calculated from the number of swollen joints (SJC) and tender joints (TJC) using the 28 joints count, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (millimeters per hour [mm/hr]) and patient's global assessment (PtGA) of disease activity. DAS28 total score range = 0 to 10, where higher scores indicates higher disease activity. DAS28 less than and equal to (<=) 2.6 meant clinical remission; DAS28 <=3.2 meant low disease activity; DAS28 greater than (>) 3.2 to 5.1 implied moderate disease activity; and DAS28 >5.1 implied high disease activity.

The DAS28-based EULAR response criteria were used to measure individual response as none, good, and moderate, depending on the extent of change from baseline and the level of disease activity reached. Description of DAS28 calculation is provided in Outcome Measure 7. Good responders: decrease from baseline >1.2 with DAS28 <= 3.2; moderate responders: decrease from baseline >1.2 with DAS28 >3.2 or decrease from baseline >0.6 to <=1.2 with DAS28 <=5.1; non-responders: decrease from baseline <= 0.6 or decrease from baseline >0.6 and <=1.2 with DAS28 >5.1.

PGA of disease activity was measured on a 0 to 100 millimeter (mm) visual analog scale (VAS), with 0 mm = no disease activity and 100 mm = highest possible disease activity.

PtGA of Disease Activity was measured on a 0 to 100 mm VAS, with 0 mm = no disease activity and 100 mm = highest possible disease activity.

HAQ-DI: participant reported assessment of ability to perform tasks in 8 categories of daily living activities: dress/groom; arise; eat; walk; reach; grip; hygiene; and common activities over past week. Each item was scored on a 4-point scale from 0 to 3: 0=no difficulty; 1=some difficulty; 2=much difficulty; 3=unable to do. Overall score was computed as the sum of domain scores divided by the number of domains answered. Total possible score range was 0-3 where 0 = least difficulty and 3 = extreme difficulty.

Intensity of pain was measured on a 100 mm line VAS marked by participant. It ranged (over the past week): 0 = no pain to 100 = worst possible pain.

Participants assessed their fatigue using a 0 - 100 mm VAS, where 0 mm = no fatigue and 100 mm = worst possible fatigue.

Participants assessed their morning stiffness using a 0 - 100 mm VAS, where 0 mm = no stiffness and 100 mm = worst possible stiffness.

ESR is a laboratory test that provides a non-specific measure of inflammation. The test assesses the rate at which red blood cells fall in a test tube. Normal range is 0-30 mm/hr. A higher rate is consistent with inflammation.

The test for CRP is a laboratory measurement for evaluation of an acute phase reactant of inflammation through the use of an ultrasensitive assay. Normal range is up to 10 milligram per liter (mg/L). A decrease in the level of CRP indicates reduction in inflammation and therefore improvement.

Number of swollen joints was determined by examination of 66 joints (SJC66) and identifying when swelling was present. The number of swollen joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit, 0 = no swelling, 1 = swelling. Number of tender joints was determined by examining 68 joints (TJC68) and identified the joints that were painful under pressure or to passive motion. The number of tender joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit, 0 = no tenderness, 1 = tenderness.

Number of swollen joints was determined by examination of 28 (SJC28) joints and identifying when swelling was present. The number of swollen joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit, 0 = no swelling, 1 = swelling. Number of tender joints was determined by examining 28 joints (TJC28) and identified the joints that were painful under pressure or to passive motion. The number of tender joints was recorded on the joint assessment form at each visit, 0 = no tenderness, 1 = tenderness.

The SDAI is the numerical sum of five outcome parameters: TJC28, SJC28, PtGA, PGA, and CRP. Description of these outcome parameters is given in outcome measure 9, 10, 16, and 18. SDAI total score = 0-86. SDAI <=3.3 indicates disease remission, >3.4 to 11 = low disease activity, >11 to 26 = moderate disease activity, and >26 = high disease activity.

The CDAI is the numerical sum of 4 outcome parameters: TJC28, SJC28, PtGA, and PGA. Description of these outcome parameters is given come measure 9, 10, and 18. CDAI total score = 0-76. CDAI <= 2.8 indicates disease remission, >2.8 to 10 = low disease activity, >10 to 22 = moderate disease activity, and >22 = high disease activity.

Participants were assigned the disease activity status on the basis of DAS28 score. Description of DAS28 calculation is provided in Outcome Measure 7. Remission: DAS28 score <= 2.6; low disease activity: DAS28 <=3.2; moderate disease activity: DAS28 <=5.1; and high disease activity: DAS28 >5.1.

Participants were assigned the disease activity status on the basis of SDAI score. Description of SDAI score calculation is provided in Outcome Measure 19. Remission: SDAI score <= 3.3; low disease activity: SDAI <=11.0; moderate disease activity: SDAI <=26.0; and high disease activity: SDAI >26.0.

Participants were assigned the disease activity status on the basis of CDAI score. Description of CDAI score calculation is provided in Outcome Measure 20. Remission: CDAI score <= 2.8; low disease activity: CDAI <=10.0; moderate disease activity: CDAI <=22.0; and high disease activity: CDAI >22.0.