In a single-blinded randomised clinical trial patients were randomised into three arms : ( A ) iTDT ( methotrexate + sulfasalazine + hydroxychloroquine ) with GCs intramuscularly ; ( B ) iTDT with an oral GC tapering scheme and ( C ) MTX with oral GCs similar to B. Primary outcomes were ( 1 ) area under the curve ( AUC ) of Health Assessment Questionnaire ( HAQ ) and Disease Activity Score ( DAS ) and ( 2 ) the proportion of patients with radiographic progression .