Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in adults that had at least one antibiotic therapy arm and included an intention-to-treat analysis.
Specific interventions included in the review
Cycline plus standard treatment compared to placebo plus standard treatment.
Participants included in the review
Adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (both long-standing disease and recent-onset disease).
Outcomes assessed in the review
Six symptoms or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, improvement in Ritchie's articular index, number of swollen joints, c-reactive protein, improvement in joint swelling and joint tenderness and morning stiffness (not clearly discussed).
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.