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Discontinuation of Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Also Using TNF Inhibitors

Sponsor: Sint Maartenskliniek • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07802678

Registry updated: 2026-09-03

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Description

The goal is to investigate whether a strategy of attempting to discontinue of MTX or LEF (and restart when necessary) in RA patients treated with an optimal dose (allowed dose or lower, tapered to the maximum, or according to patient preference) TNFi is not worser to a continuation of combination therapy. The study will also examine the disease-related effects of treatment that attempts to discontinue MTX or LEF, how patients experience it, its safety, and its impact on medication usage and healthcare costs. The main outcome is the difference between treatments in average disease activity over 24 months. The study will compare whether disease activity remains similar between patients who attempt to discontinue MTX or LEF and those who continue combination therapy. Patients will be followed for 24 months with scheduled hospital visits at baseline, after 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, remote visits, and additional visits for disease flares. X-rays of the hands and feet will be taken at baseline and after 24 months. During some visits, additional blood samples will be taken to measure inflammation markers and medication levels.

Interventions

Strategy to attempt discontinuation of MTX or LEF (and restart when necessary) (Drug)
Participants will discontinue their csDMARD (MTX or LEF) immediately following randomization and continue TNFi monotherapy at their current stable dose.
Continuation of MTX or LEF (Drug)
Participants will aim to continue combination therapy with csDMARD (MTX or LEF) and TNFi at their current stable doses.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years. * Diagnosis of RA, according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR and/or 1987 RA classification criteria or clinical diagnosis by a rheumatologist. * Stable disease activity for ≥ 6 months, defined as DAS28-CRP ≤ 2.9 or DAS28-CRP ≤ 3.5 combined with clinical judgment of LDA. * Current combination therapy consisting of TNFi and either MTX or LEF. * TNFi administration at a stable dose (at an optimal dose, defined as the authorized dose or lower and being maximally tapered, because of prior disease flare or patient preference) for ≥6 months prior to screening, during which LDA is maintained for ≥6 months. * MTX or LEF administration at a stable dose for ≥3 months prior to screening. * Ability to comply with all study procedures, visits and follow-up assessments. * Written informed consent provided prior to any study-related procedure. Exclusion Criteria: * A previous attempt within the last 12 months prior to screening to taper or discontinue MTX or LEF that required reintroduction or dose increase of the csDMARD due to a disease flare. * Current MTX or LEF treatment for other indications than RA. * Current treatment with prednisolone (equivalent) of \> 5 mg per day. * Current severe comorbidity or serious life-shortening condition that could interfere with adherence to the study protocol or completion of the 24-month follow-up period. * Women that are pregnant, breast feeding or considering pregnancy during the study period (MTX and LEF are contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding). * Inability to comply with the study procedures, visits, or follow-up assessments. * Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent.

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Locations

Sint Maartenskliniek — Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands
Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis Tilburg — Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands
Reade Amsterdam — Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Erasmus MC — Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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