This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of isolated adalimumab or adalimumab combined together with other DMARD in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Doses of 20mg or 40mg of subcutaneous adalimumab lasting 24 to 26 weeks, as compared to placebo, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, are effective in the following outcomes: ACR 20/50/, number of joints with edema and pain, auto-reported visual pain analog scale, global physical assessment both autoreported and by the physician as well as quality of life. Semimonthly doses of 40mg of subcutaneous adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were more effective than 20mg in the following outcomes at regimens of 24 to 26 weeks: ACR 20/50/ and number of joints with edema. It is advisable to prescribe adalimumab only after unsuccessful current approaches such as either isolated or combined disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (methotrexate, leflunomide, chloroquine,sulfasalazine). Longerlasting randomized conrolled trials are necessary to allow more accurate information about its effectiveness, safety and residual effects.