Fig. 1

Screening, follow-up of the patients, and treatment outcomes. Clinical remission and relapse were evaluated in 119 newly diagnosed patients who were observed for more than 24 weeks. Thirteen had worsening of clinical signs and symptoms or persisted elevation of CRP and were not able to achieve clinical remission. Nine had a relapse after the achievement of clinical remission between weeks 0 and 24, and 97 had no relapse at week 24 after the achievement of clinical remission. Nineteen of the 97 had relapse between weeks 24 and 52, and 78 had no relapse at week 52 after the achievement of clinical remission. Overall, 41 had poor treatment outcomes