OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oral methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a long-term prospective trial. METHODS:One hundred twenty-three patients with RA who completed a 9-month multicenter randomized trial comparing MTX and auranofin enrolled in this 5-year prospective study of MTX. RESULTS: Significant (P = 0.0001) improvement compared with baseline was noted in all clinical disease variables, functional status, and the Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). "Marked improvement" occurred in 87 (71%) and 85 (69%) of the patients, respectively, in the joint pain/tenderness index and the joint swelling index at the last evaluable visit. Forty-four patients (36%) withdrew during the study. Eight (7%) withdrew due to lack of efficacy, and 8 (7%) due to adverse experiences, including 1 patient with cirrhosis. At 5 years, 64% of patients were still taking MTX and completed the study. CONCLUSION: This large prospective study of long-term MTX treatment demonstrates sustained clinical response and improvement in the Westergren ESR and functional assessment scores, with an acceptable toxicity profile.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oral methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a long-term prospective trial. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three patients with RA who completed a 9-month multicenter randomized trial comparing MTX and auranofin enrolled in this 5-year prospective study of MTX. RESULTS: Significant (P = 0.0001) improvement compared with baseline was noted in all clinical disease variables, functional status, and the Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). "Marked improvement" occurred in 87 (71%) and 85 (69%) of the patients, respectively, in the joint pain/tenderness index and the joint swelling index at the last evaluable visit. Forty-four patients (36%) withdrew during the study. Eight (7%) withdrew due to lack of efficacy, and 8 (7%) due to adverse experiences, including 1 patient with cirrhosis. At 5 years, 64% of patients were still taking MTX and completed the study. CONCLUSION: This large prospective study of long-term MTX treatment demonstrates sustained clinical response and improvement in the Westergren ESR and functional assessment scores, with an acceptable toxicity profile.
Authors: B Combe; R Landewe; C Lukas; H D Bolosiu; F Breedveld; M Dougados; P Emery; G Ferraccioli; J M W Hazes; L Klareskog; K Machold; E Martin-Mola; H Nielsen; A Silman; J Smolen; H Yazici Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2006-01-05 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: M F Neurath; K Hildner; C Becker; J F Schlaak; K Barbulescu; T Germann; E Schmitt; P Schirmacher; S Haralambous; M Pasparakis; K H Meyer Zum Büschenfelde; G Kollias; E Märker-Hermann Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 1999-01 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: S B Cohen; L W Moreland; J J Cush; M W Greenwald; S Block; W J Shergy; P S Hanrahan; M M Kraishi; A Patel; G Sun; M B Bear Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2004-04-13 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: J van Holten; K Pavelka; J Vencovsky; H Stahl; B Rozman; M Genovese; A J Kivitz; J Alvaro; G Nuki; D E Furst; G Herrero-Beaumont; I B McInnes; P Musikic; P P Tak Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2004-07-08 Impact factor: 19.103