Open-Label Study Comparing Etanercept to Conventional Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD) Therapy

The purpose of this 2 phased, open-label study is to compare the safety and efficacy of etanercept with conventional Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD) therapy in Latin American subjects with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis over 128 weeks. Phase 1 is a randomized 24 week treatment period; Phase 2 is an optional open-label 104 week period that allows the investigator to choose continuation with the phase I treatment or the addition, discontinuation or titration of other DMARD therapy already being utilized for the study.