Maxime Verhoeven

113 Effectiveness and safety of treat-to-target strategies over 5 years statistically significantly longer in the TCZ initiation strategy groups compared with the MTX initiation strategy group (p<0.01; Table 2). However, including only the PTFU period, no differences were found between the strategy groups (median [IQR] duration 121 [74-154], 116 [53-145] and 109 [65-140] weeks in TCZ+MTX, TCZ and MTX, respectively (p=0.62)). Fifty-nine of the 226 patients (26%) achieved sDFR at least once during the 5 years, without statistically significant differences between the initial strategy groups, nor for the cumulative duration of sDFR, Table 2. Radiographic progression Of the 226 patients, only 30% had any radiographic progression over 5 years, without significant differences between the groups (p=0.09), Figure 3. The median changes in both total SvdH score and erosion score over 5 years were 0 in all strategy groups, Table 2. The median change in JSN score was statistically significantly lower for the TCZ+MTX initiation strategy group compared with the MTX initiation strategy group (IQR: TCZ+MTX 0-0, MTX 0-1; p=0.03). Figure 3 Cumulative probability plot for absolute change in total Sharp van der Heijde score over 5 years. Change in SvdH score is based on radiographs from baseline U-Act-Early and last available time point (5 years or end of follow-up if earlier than 5 years). Median duration of radiographs from start of U-Act-Early was 5 years in all initial treatment strategies. TCZ+MTX= tocilizumab + methotrexate initiation strategy group; TCZ= tocilizumab + placebo-methotrexate initiation strategy group; MTX= methotrexate + placebo-tocilizumab initiation strategy group; SvdH= Sharp van der Heijde score. Physical function No statistically significant differences in HAQ scores over 5 years were observed between the strategy groups, Table 2. 6