An Observational Study to Describe in Routine Clinical Practice the Treatment Patterns of Usage of Biological DMARDs in RA Patients.

RA related operations also included prosthesis.

RA duration = (the date of participants signing the informed consent form - date of RA diagnosis + 1) /365.25

Number of participants with RA duration of <= 6 months, >6 months and <= 3 years, >3 years and <= 10 years, and 10 years.

Number of participants with concurrent RA extra-articular symptoms including RA subcutaneous nodule, RA vasculitis, interstitial pneumonia, Felty's syndrome, and other symptoms were presented. One participant could have more than one concurrent RA extra-articular symptoms.

The test for CRP is a laboratory measurement for evaluation of an acute phase reactant of inflammation through the use of an ultrasensitive assay. A decrease in the level of CRP indicates reduction in inflammation and therefore improvement.

The test for CRP is a laboratory measurement for evaluation of an acute phase reactant of inflammation through the use of an ultrasensitive assay. A decrease in the level of CRP indicates reduction in inflammation and therefore improvement. Central lab was not used in this study; the definitions of abnormal CRP followed participating hospitals' standardized criteria. Case report form (CRF) collected data as directly "normal" or "abnormal".

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. A higher rate is consistent with inflammation.

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. A higher rate is consistent with inflammation. Central lab was not used in this study; the definitions of abnormal ESR followed participating hospitals' standardized criteria. CRF collected data as directly "normal" or "abnormal".

Hemoglobin levels were measured in gram per liter (g/L). Anemia was defined as an adult male with hemoglobin value <120 g/L or an adult female with hemoglobin value <110 g/L.

Anemia was defined as an adult male with hemoglobin value <120 g/L or an adult female with hemoglobin value <110 g/L.

ACCP antibodies are important markers of bone erosion in RA. Central lab was not used in this study; the definitions of positive ACCP followed participating hospitals' standardized criteria. CRF collected data as "positive" or "negative" directly.

RF is the auto antibody directed against immunoglobulin G (IgG) and its concentration is observed in human serum or plasma. Central lab was not used in this study; the definitions of positive RF followed participating hospitals' standardized criteria. CRF collected data as "positive" or "negative" directly.

Normal range for triglyceride is <1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Normal range for triglyceride is <1.7 mmol/L.

Normal range for total cholesterol is <5.2 mmol/L.

Normal range for total cholesterol is <5.2 mmol/L.

Number of swollen joints was determined by examination of 28 joints and identifying when swelling was present. The number of swollen joints was recorded on the joint assessment form, no swelling = 0, swelling =1; total was calculated by adding all the joints for a maximum score of 28.

Number of tender joints was determined by examining 28 joints 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, no tenderness = 0, tenderness = 1; total was calculated by adding all the joints for a maximum score of 28.

DAS28 was calculated from SJC and TJC using 28 joints count, ESR (mm/hour) or CRP (mg/dL), and Patient's Global Assessment (PtGA) of disease activity (measured on a 0 to 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] where 0=no disease activity and 100=worst disease activity). DAS28 was calculated using following formulas: DAS28-ESR = 0.56*square root (sqrt) (TJC28) + 0.28*sqrt(SJC28) + 0.70*natural logarithm (ln) (ESR) + 0.014*PtGA of disease activity; DAS28-CRP = 0.56*sqrt(TJC28) + 0.28*sqrt(SJC28) + 0.36*ln(10*CRP+1) + 0.014*PtGA of disease activity. DAS28-ESR was adopted to calculate DAS28 if effective ESR data was available; otherwise DAS28-CRP was adopted to calculate DAS28. Total score range: 0-10, higher score=more disease activity. DAS28 <=3.2 implied low disease activity, DAS >3.2 to 5.1 implied moderate disease activity and DAS >5.1 implied high disease activity, and DAS28 <2.6 = clinical remission.

DAS28 was calculated from SJC and TJC using 28 joints count, ESR (mm/hour) or CRP (mg/dL), and PtGA of disease activity (measured on a 0 to 100 mm VAS where 0=no disease activity and 100=worst disease activity). DAS28 was calculated using following formulas: DAS28-ESR = 0.56*sqrt(TJC28) + 0.28*sqrt(SJC28) + 0.70*ln(ESR) + 0.014*PtGA of disease activity; DAS28-CRP = 0.56*sqrt(TJC28) + 0.28*sqrt(SJC28) + 0.36*ln(10*CRP+1) + 0.014*PtGA of disease activity. DAS28-ESR was adopted to calculate DAS28 if effective ESR data was available; otherwise DAS28-CRP was adopted to calculate DAS28. Total score range: 0-10, higher score=more disease activity. DAS28 <=3.2 implied low disease activity, DAS >3.2 to 5.1 implied moderate disease activity and DAS >5.1 implied high disease activity, and DAS28 <2.6 = clinical remission.

The CDAI is the numerical sum of 4 outcome parameters: TJC and SJC based on a 28-joint assessment, PtGA and Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) assessed on 0-10 centimeter (cm) VAS; 0 = no disease activity and 10 = worst disease activity. CDAI total score = 0-76. CDAI <= 2.8 indicates clinical remission, >2.8 to 10 = low disease activity, >10 to 22 = moderate disease activity, and >22 = high (or severe) disease activity.

The CDAI is the numerical sum of 4 outcome parameters: TJC and SJC based on a 28-joint assessment, PtGA and PGA assessed on 0-10 cm VAS; 0 = no disease activity and 10 = worst disease activity. CDAI total score = 0-76. CDAI <= 2.8 indicates clinical remission, >2.8 to 10 = low disease activity, >10 to 22 = moderate disease activity, and >22 = high (or severe) disease activity.

The SDAI is the numerical sum of five outcome parameters: TJC and SJC based on a 28-joint assessment, PtGA and PGA assessed on 0-10 cm VAS; 0 = no disease activity and 10 = worst disease activity, and CRP (mg/dL). SDAI total score = 0-86. SDAI <=3.3 indicates clinical remission, >3.4 to 11 = low disease activity, >11 to 26 = moderate disease activity, and >26 = high (or severe) disease activity.

The SDAI is the numerical sum of five outcome parameters: TJC and SJC based on a 28-joint assessment, PtGA and PGA assessed on 0-10 cm VAS; 0 = no disease activity and 10 = worst disease activity, and CRP (mg/dL). SDAI total score = 0-86. SDAI <=3.3 indicates clinical remission, >3.4 to 11 = low disease activity, >11 to 26 = moderate disease activity, and >26 = high (or severe) disease activity.

Number of participants with duration of treatment of biological agent <3 months, >= 3 to <6 months, >= 6 to <12 months, and >= 12 months.

DAS28 was calculated from SJC and TJC using 28 joints count, ESR (mm/hour) or CRP (mg/dL), and PtGA of disease activity (measured on a 0 to 100 mm VAS where 0=no disease activity and 100=worst disease activity). DAS28 was calculated using following formulas: DAS28-ESR = 0.56*sqrt(TJC28) + 0.28*sqrt(SJC28) + 0.70*ln(ESR) + 0.014*PtGA of disease activity; DAS28-CRP = 0.56*sqrt(TJC28) + 0.28*sqrt(SJC28) + 0.36*ln(10*CRP+1) + 0.014*PtGA of disease activity. DAS28-ESR was adopted to calculate DAS28 if effective ESR data was available; otherwise DAS28-CRP was adopted to calculate DAS28. Total score range: 0-10, higher score=more disease activity. DAS28 <=3.2 implied low disease activity, DAS >3.2 to 5.1 implied moderate disease activity and DAS >5.1 implied high disease activity, and DAS28 <2.6 = clinical remission.

Biological agent monotherapy meant participants using a biological agent without concomitant csDMARDs. DAS28 was calculated from SJC and TJC using 28 joints count, ESR (mm/hour) or CRP (mg/dL), and PtGA of disease activity (measured on a 0 to 100 mm VAS where 0=no disease activity and 100=worst disease activity). DAS28 was calculated using following formulas: DAS28-ESR = 0.56*sqrt(TJC28) + 0.28*sqrt(SJC28) + 0.70*ln(ESR) + 0.014*PtGA of disease activity; DAS28-CRP = 0.56*sqrt(TJC28) + 0.28*sqrt(SJC28) + 0.36*ln(10*CRP+1) + 0.014*PtGA. DAS28-ESR was adopted to calculate DAS28 if effective ESR data was available; otherwise DAS28-CRP was adopted to calculate DAS28. Total score range: 0-10, higher score=more disease activity. DAS28 <=3.2 implied low disease activity, DAS >3.2 to 5.1 implied moderate disease activity and DAS >5.1 implied high disease activity, and DAS28 <2.6 = clinical remission.

PGA of disease activity was measured on a 0 to 10 centimeter (cm) VAS, with 0 cm = no disease activity and 10 cm = extreme disease activity.

PtGA of disease activity was measured on a 0 to 10 cm VAS, with 0 cm = very well controlled and 10 cm = very poorly controlled.

The HAQ consists of 20 questions in 8 categories (dressing and grooming, rising, eating, walking, reach, grip, hygiene, and carrying out daily activities). Each question has 4 response options, ranging from "no difficulty" to "unable to do", corresponding to scores from 0 to 3. HAQ total score = sum of each of the 20 items' scores, with a summary score ranging from 0 to 60, where higher score indicates greater disability.

Participants scored the fatigue on 10 cm VAS from 0 = no fatigue to 10 = very fatigue.

Participants scored the intensity of pain produced by RA on 10 cm VAS from 0 = no pain to 10 = extreme pain.