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Objectives: The aim of this study was to apply a previously published method for evaluating radiographic progression, namely, predicted vs. observed radiographic progression in early rheumatoid arthritis (POPeRA), to the Swedish pharmacotherapy (SWEFOT) trial.

Method: In SWEFOT, 487 patients with eRA were given methotrexate (MTX), and non-responders were randomized to group A [triple therapy: MTX + sulfasalazine (SSZ) + hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)] and group B [anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy: MTX + infliximab]. Responders continued on MTX. Predicted progression for 343 eligible patients was calculated based on the baseline total Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS) divided by symptom duration, compared to observed progression at 12 and 24 months.

Results: Observed radiographic progression was reduced from predicted by a mean of 50.1% (A), 72.3% (B), and 73.9% (MTX) at 12 …