Which arthralgia patients benefit most in reduction of subclinical joint inflammation by methotrexate treatment: results from the TREAT EARLIER trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The TREAT EARLIER trial showed in clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) that methotrexate induced reductions in subclinical inflammation and related disease burden during the year of treatment, which was sustained thereafter. We studied whether the treatment response defined at the level of subclinical joint inflammation was present in all treated CSA patients and, if not, what characterises the subgroup of responders.

Methods

CSA patients with subclinical inflammation were randomised to receive an intramuscular glucocorticoid injection and a 1-year course of methotrexate. Treatment response was defined as a reduction of MRI-detected synovitis, tenosynovitis or osteitis levels beyond the smallest detectable change at 12 months. Baseline clinical and imaging characte

SUBMITTER: Claassen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12820865 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature