Table 1 Summary of randomized clinical trials’ characteristics included in the systematic review

N. of RCTs included

N. total

Characteristics of studies

Median of sample size

Minimum sample size

Maximum sample size

N. of studies with sample size per arm N ≥ 100

N. multicenter studies

N. studies that analysed outcomes at 4 weeks follow-up

N. studies that analysed outcomes at ≤12 weeks follow-up

N. studies that analysed outcomes at ≤16 weeks follow-up

N. studies that analysed outcomes between 22 and 24 weeks of follow-up

N. studies that analysed outcomes between 48 and 52 weeks of follow-up

N. studies funding by pharmaceutical companies

Characteristics of participants

Age (mean (SD))

Symptoms duration in years (median (IQR))

Weight in Kg (median (IQR))

% of women (median (IQR))

N. of studies that included participants with previous biological treatment

% participants with axial or enthesitis

% participants with peripheral arthritis (including dactylitis)

Intervention arms

N. of studies with Adalimumab

N. of studies with Certolizumab Pegol

N. of studies with Etanercept

N. of studies with Golimumab

N. of studies with Infliximab

N. of studies with Secukinumab

N. of studies with Tofacitinib

N. of studies with MTX isolated

N. studies with no treatment

N. studies with placebo

Outcomes analysed

N. of studies that analysed ACR 50

N. of studies that analysed PsARC

N. of studies that analysed HAQ-DI continuous

N. of studies that analysed HAQ-DI dichotomous

N. of studies that analysed disease activity (DAPSA, DAS28, CDAI or MDA) continuous

N. of studies that analysed disease activity (DAPSA, DAS28, CDAI or MDA) dichotomous

N. of studies that analysed pain

N. of studies that analysed quality of life

N. of studies that analysed skin disease (PASI) continuous

N. of studies that analysed skin disease (PASI) dichotomous

N. of studies that analysed serious adverse events

N. of studies that analysed total adverse events