Change (in DAS28) after tapering and stopping MTX
| Discontinue | Taper | |
|---|---|---|
| MTX dose change in % | ||
| 2.5 | – | 10.2 |
| 5 | – | 55.0 |
| 7.5 | – | 3.5 |
| 10 | – | 22.7 |
| >10 | – | 6.3 |
| From injection to tablet* | – | 2.1 |
| Dose after tapering MTX in % | ||
| <10 | – | 9.8 |
| 10–17.5 | – | 50.2 |
| 20–30 | – | 40.0 |
| Reasons to taper or discontinue in % | ||
| Low disease activity or remission | 15.1 | 59.6 |
| Side effects | 61.9 | 23.8 |
| Ineffectiveness | 8.7 | 1.7 |
| Other reason | 6.3 | 9.4 |
| Unknown | 7.9 | 5.5 |
| Mean DAS28 at taper or discontinuation (SD) | 3.6 (1.4) | 3.4 (1.5) |
| Mean DAS28 difference at 6 months after taper or discontinuation (SD) | −0.28 (1.45) | −0.40 (1.32) |
| Mean DAS28 difference at 12 months after taper or discontinuation (SD) | −0.12 (1.46) | −0.45 (1.43) |
| Patients with relapse† at 6 months after taper or discontinuation in % | 21 | 21 |
| Patients with relapse† at 12 months after taper or discontinuation in % | 24 | 21 |
*Switch from MTX injection to MTX tablet intake.
†Relapse is defined as an increase in DAS28 of >0.6.
−, Not applicable for this group.
DAS28, Disease Activity Score of 28 joints; MTX, methotrexate.