RCT part: COBRA-Slim with or without fast access to TNF blockade for remission induction in early RA. LTE part: Long Term observational follow-up on patients started in CareRA2020 RCT (COBRA Slim with or without fast access to TNF blockade for remission induction in RA).

Prior treatment

• Previous treatment with: MTX or leflunomide; cyclophosphamide, azathioprine or cyclosporine; sulfasalazine (SSZ) for more than 3 weeks; hydroxychloroquine for more than 6 weeks; oral GC for more than 4 weeks within 4 months before screening; oral GC at a daily dosage of more than 10 mg prednisone equivalent within 4 weeks before baseline; oral GC at a daily dosage equal to or less than 10 mg prednisone equivalent within 2 weeks before baseline; intra-articular, intravenous or intramuscular GC within 4 weeks before BL; an investigational drug for the treatment/prevention of RA
• Alcohol or drug abuse

Other illness

• History of chronic heart failure
• History of severe infections or chronic infection
• History of malignant neoplasm within 5 years
• Underlying cardiac, pulmonary, metabolic, renal or gastrointestinal conditions, chronic or latent infectious diseases or immune deficiency which in the opinion of the investigator places the patient at an unacceptable risk for participation in the study

Other

• Pregnancy, breastfeeding or no use of a reliable method of contraception for woman of childbearing potential (as in daily clinical practice)
• Active TB
• Latent TB unless adequate prophylactic treatment is given according to local guidelines
• No access to the Belgian Health Insurance system
• For the LTE part: No exclusion criteria are applicable.
• Contra indications for GC
• Contra indications for TNF blocking agents
• Contra indications for MTX or leflunomide
• Psoriatic Arthritis

• Diagnosis of RA as defined by the ACR/EULAR2010 criteria for early RA
• Early RA defined by a diagnosis made ≤ 1 year ago.
• Use a reliable method of contraception for women of childbearing potential to be evaluated as in daily clinical practice
• Able and willing to give written informed consent and to participate in the study
• Understanding and able to write Dutch or French
• for the LTE part: Patients participated in the CareRA2020 RCT, who completed w104 of the RCT and are able and willing to give written informed consent can participate in this long term observational follow-up.