Adverse events

Participants received rituximab 1 gram IV on Days 1 and 15 of each course of retreatment. In addition, participants received methotrexate 10-25 mg/week orally or parenterally, methylprednisolone 100 mg IV 30 minutes prior to both rituximab infusions, and a stable dose of folic acid \>=5 mg/week or equivalent. Participants received retreatment (next course of rituximab repeat treatment) within 2 weeks of meeting the retreatment criteria as defined in the protocol (minimum of 24 weeks after the first \[Day 1\] infusion of the last course of rituximab). Repeat treatment was based on the investigator's decision of prior clinical response to rituximab, clinical need and evidence of active disease (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints \>=2.6). Retreatment with rituximab was continued until withdrawal of consent or study treatment completion on 31 December 2011, whichever occurred earlier.

Data for participants who received placebo in Study WA17043 or WA16291 are included in this reporting group for data collected until they received their first dose of rituximab in this study (Study WA16855). Data from these participants collected after the first dose of rituximab are included in the rituximab reporting group.