A Study of a Novel Investigational Drug in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients (MK-0873-012)(COMPLETED)

Experimental: MK-0873

MK-0873 1.25 mg twice daily for 12 weeks

Arzneimittel: MK-0873

MK-0873 1.25 mg twice daily for 12 weeks

Placebo-Komparator: Placebo

Matching placebo to MK-0873 1.25 mg twice daily for 12 weeks

Arzneimittel: Comparator: Placebo

Matching placebo to MK-0873 1.25 mg twice daily for 12 weeks

Change From Baseline in Swollen Joint Count

Swollen joint count (SJC) was determined by assessing 66 joints (33 right side, 33 left side) for swelling using the following grading system: 0=Absent, 1=Detectable synovial thickening without loss of bony contours, 2=Loss of distinctiveness of bony contours, or 3=Bulging synovial proliferation with cystic characteristics. The total number of joints graded 1, 2, or 3 were then counted to yield the SJC. SJC ranged from 1-66, with increasing score indicating greater number of swollen joints. SJC was averaged over weeks 8, 10 and 12 to yield a Treatment Period Mean. Change from Baseline = Treatment Period Mean SJC - Baseline SJC.

Percentage of Participants With American College of Rheumatology 20% Response [ACR20]

Participants were categorized as meeting ACR20 criteria when they had at least 20% improvement from Baseline in tender and swollen joint counts, and improvement from Baseline in at least 3 of 5 of the following domains: Pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Patient Global Assessement, Physician Global Assessment, Patient Physical Function (Disability) Score and acute-phase reactant (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate [ESR] or C-Reactive Protein [CRP]). The average percentage of participants that met the ACR20 responder criteria over Treatment Weeks 8, 10 and 12 was calculated.

Change From Baseline in Tender Joint Count

Tender joint count (TJC) was to be determined by assessing 68 joints (34 right side, 34 left side) for pain using the following grading system: 0=No pain, 1=Patient states that there is pain, 2=Patient states that there is pain and winces, or 3=Patient states that there is pain, winces, and withdraws. The total number of joints graded 1, 2, or 3 were then to be counted to yield the TJC. TJC ranges from 1-68, with increasing score indicating greater number of tender joints. TJC was to be averaged over weeks 8, 10, and 12 to yield a Treatment Period Mean. Change from Baseline = Treatment Period Mean TJC - Baseline TJC.

Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity

At each clinic visit, participants were to assess disease activity using a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) in reponse to the question: "Considering all the ways your arthritis affects you, mark an (X) through the line for how well you are doing." The VAS ranges from "Very Well" (0) to "Very Poor" (100). The mean score at Treatment Weeks 8, 10 and 12 was calculated. A lower score indicates a better disease activity.

Investigator Global Assessment of Disease Activity

At each clinic visit, the Investigator was to make a global assessment of participant disease activity on a 5-point Likert scale with grading as follows: 1=Very well, 2=Well, 3=Fair, 4=Poor, or 5=Very poor (scale range: 1-5). A lower score indicates a more positive assessment of participant disease activity.

Patient Global Assessment of Response to Therapy

Participants were to rate their overall response to the study drug on a 5-point Likert scale with grading as follows: 0=None, 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Good, or 4=Excellent (scale range: 0-4). A higher score indicates a more positive response to study drug.

Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index

The Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index assesses participant functional ability based on 20 questions in 8 categories of functioning: dressing, rising, eating, walking, hygiene, reach, grip, and usual activities. Responses range from 0=No disability to 3=Completely disabled. The score for each category subscale is the single response within the category with the highest score (greatest difficulty). The overall score for the Disability Index is the mean of the 8 category scores and also ranges from 0-3, with a lower score indicating less disability.

Patient's Assessment of Pain

At each clinic visit, participants were to assess their amount of pain due to arthritis during the previous 48 hours on a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) that ranged from "No pain" (0) to "Extreme pain" (100). A lower score indicates less pain.

Ratio of On-treatment C-Reactive Protein to Baseline C-Reactive Protein

C-reactive protein levels rise in response to inflammation in the body. The ratio of On-treatment serum C-reative protein:Baseline serum C-reactive protein was calculated to determine a treatment effect. On-treatment C-reactive protein = the mean of serum C-reactive protein levels for Treatment Weeks 8, 10 and 12. A ratio of less than 1.0 is consistent with lower inflammation and was to be considered an improvement.