T Kuitunen1, J Malmström, E Palva, T Pettersson. 1. Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Jorvi Hospital, Espoo, Finland. tapio.kuitunen@kolumbus.fi
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study cases of low-dose methotrexate-induced pancytopenia with special reference to clinical outcome and factors predisposing to bone marrow suppression. METHODS: Patient files of 14 cases of methotrexate-induced pancytopenia reported to the National Agency for Medicines in Finland from 1991 to 1999 were reviewed. A review of four additional cases was included. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients (median age 72 years), 12 had rheumatoid arthritis, one psoriatic arthritis, five psoriasis without arthritis, and one pemphigus erythematosus. Major co-morbidity was recorded in 12 patients, and 16 patients used significant concomitant drugs. Eight patients had a mildly or moderately elevated serum creatinine concentration. In every patient the occurrence of cytopenia was abrupt. Eight patients (44%) died, and the most frequent cause of death was infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that methotrexate-induced pancytopenia is associated with high mortality especially in cases with significant co-morbidity and concomitant medications.
OBJECTIVE: To study cases of low-dose methotrexate-induced pancytopenia with special reference to clinical outcome and factors predisposing to bone marrow suppression. METHODS:Patient files of 14 cases of methotrexate-induced pancytopenia reported to the National Agency for Medicines in Finland from 1991 to 1999 were reviewed. A review of four additional cases was included. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients (median age 72 years), 12 had rheumatoid arthritis, one psoriatic arthritis, five psoriasis without arthritis, and one pemphigus erythematosus. Major co-morbidity was recorded in 12 patients, and 16 patients used significant concomitant drugs. Eight patients had a mildly or moderately elevated serum creatinine concentration. In every patient the occurrence of cytopenia was abrupt. Eight patients (44%) died, and the most frequent cause of death was infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that methotrexate-induced pancytopenia is associated with high mortality especially in cases with significant co-morbidity and concomitant medications.
Authors: Marc Ghannoum; Darren M Roberts; David S Goldfarb; Jesper Heldrup; Kurt Anseeuw; Tais F Galvao; Thomas D Nolin; Robert S Hoffman; Valery Lavergne; Paul Meyers; Sophie Gosselin; Tudor Botnaru; Karine Mardini; David M Wood Journal: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2022-03-02 Impact factor: 10.614