OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term efficacy and safety of low-dose methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS:Eighty-four-month open prospective trial at a single academic rheumatology center. RESULTS:Twenty-six patients were enrolled in a prospective study of the long-term efficacy of MTX in RA; a significant improvement had been demonstrated after 36 months of therapy. Twelve patients remained in the study at the 84-month visit; the mean weekly dosage of MTX was 10.2 mg. A significant improvement was still noted at 84 months in the number of painful joints, number of swollen joints, joint pain index, joint swelling index, and physician and patient global assessments. A 50% improvement in the joint pain index and joint swelling index was observed in more than 80% of the 12 patients still enrolled. A significant reduction in prednisone dosage was achieved; of 14 patients takingprednisone at entry, 7 had discontinued prednisone completely. Fourteen patients withdrew from the study: 10 between 0 and 36 months, and 4 between 36 and 84 months. Toxicity in 3 patients and visit noncompliance in 1 patient were the reasons for withdrawal between 36 and 84 months. At 84 months, 46% of the patients remained in the study; 11.5% had discontinued due to MTX toxicity. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of MTX in the treatment of RA continues to be demonstrated in this prospective study, after 84 months of treatment.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term efficacy and safety of low-dose methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Eighty-four-month open prospective trial at a single academic rheumatology center. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were enrolled in a prospective study of the long-term efficacy of MTX in RA; a significant improvement had been demonstrated after 36 months of therapy. Twelve patients remained in the study at the 84-month visit; the mean weekly dosage of MTX was 10.2 mg. A significant improvement was still noted at 84 months in the number of painful joints, number of swollen joints, joint pain index, joint swelling index, and physician and patient global assessments. A 50% improvement in the joint pain index and joint swelling index was observed in more than 80% of the 12 patients still enrolled. A significant reduction in prednisone dosage was achieved; of 14 patients taking prednisone at entry, 7 had discontinued prednisone completely. Fourteen patients withdrew from the study: 10 between 0 and 36 months, and 4 between 36 and 84 months. Toxicity in 3 patients and visit noncompliance in 1 patient were the reasons for withdrawal between 36 and 84 months. At 84 months, 46% of the patients remained in the study; 11.5% had discontinued due to MTXtoxicity. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of MTX in the treatment of RA continues to be demonstrated in this prospective study, after 84 months of treatment.
Authors: Jeffrey A Sparks; Paul F Dellaripa; Robert J Glynn; Nina P Paynter; Chang Xu; Paul M Ridker; Daniel H Solomon Journal: Arthritis Rheumatol Date: 2020-10-07 Impact factor: 10.995