Study Comparing The Effect On Disease Activity When Reducing Or Discontinuing Etanercept In Subjects With RA

Dose Reduction or Discontinuation of Etanercept in Methotrexate-Treated Rheumatoid Arthritis Subjects Who Have Achieved a Stable Low Disease Activity-state (DOSERA)

This study involves Rheumatoid Arthritis patients in regular clinical setting who are already on etanercept treatment and are in remission or in a low disease activity (LDA) state, and is intended to identify parameters that can serve as guidance in clinical settings. This study will consider the clinical and radiographic course in subjects when etanercept treatment is tapered or discontinued, and analyze the subjects' experience of disease worsening and the predictive values of clinical parameters, serum biomarkers and imaging on the clinical and radiographic course in different treatment groups. The effect of re-treatment with etanercept at treatment failure will also be studied.

Inclusion criteria:

• Subject has a current DAS28 equal to or less than 3.2.
• Subject is currently receiving treatment with etanercept, either 25 mg twice weekly or 50 mg once weekly, for a minimum of 14 months at baseline
• Subject is currently receiving oral, sc or intramuscular methotrexate once weekly, 7.5 mg/week to 25 mg/week and at a stable dose for a minimum of 4 months at baseline.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject has earlier had an attempt of discontinuing etanercept for reasons of remission or low disease activity state.
• Subject has received any disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, other than methotrexate, within one month before baseline.
• Subject has had a dose of prednisone (or equivalent) >7.5 mg/day or has received intra-articular, intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous corticosteroid within one month of baseline.