Prospective Study on Intensive Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Inclusion Criteria: * Active rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed for at least 6 weeks, but no more than 1 year, according to the revised 1987 ACR criteria * Naïve to treatment with MTX * Swollen joint count (SJC) \> 8 tender joint count (TJC) \> 8 * At screening CRP \> 1.5 mg/dL (15 mg/L) or ESR ≥ 28 mm/h * ≥ 1 joint erosion or RF positivity or anti-CCP positivity * Age 18-70 years. Exclusion Criteria: * Rheumatic autoimmune disease other than RA * Functional class IV * Any surgical procedure within 12 weeks prior to baseline or planned during the study. * Pregnancy or breast feeding. * Evidence of significant concomitant disease * Primary or secondary immunodeficiency * active infection of any kind * History of previously untreated infection with mycobacterium tuberculosis or current treatment for same. * History of cancer * Any history or presence of congestive heart failure (CHF) (New York Heart Association classification for CHF: Class III or IV). * Any history of myocardial infarction within 5 years. * History of a severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction to a biologic agent or known hypersensitivity to any component of adalimumab or methotrexate. * Positive serology for hepatitis B or C indicating active infection. * Hemoglobin \< 8.0 g/dL. * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \< 1.5 x 103/L. * Liver function abnormality