Outcomes
accrual of damage
DISEASE, REMISSION, DISEASE
The primary outcome was time from randomisation to disease relapse, defined as the return or first appearance of at least one item on BVAS/WG. Major relapse required at least one major BVAS/WG item. Relapses were reviewed by a blinded adjudication committee. Secondary outcomes included the proportions who maintained remission at the end of the maintenance phase, or end of the follow-up phase; time to major relapse; cumulative accrual of damage measured by the Combined Disease Assessment instrument