OBJECTIVE: To conclude observations of efficacy of longterm methotrexate (MTX) treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS:Twenty-six patients with RA entered a prospective study of MTX in 1983. The study was completed after 132 months of therapy. RESULTS: Significant improvement (p < 0.001) was noted in the number of painful joints, swollen joints, and physician and patient global assessments. There was 50% improvement in the joint pain index and joint swelling index in > 65% of the patients. A significant reduction in prednisone dose was achieved. Sixteen patients withdrew from the study. Toxicity led to 3 drug related withdrawals of study patients (alopecia 1; pneumonitis 2). At 132 months, 10 patients (38%) had completed the study; 3 patients (11%) discontinued due to MTX toxicity. CONCLUSION:MTX was an effective treatment for RA in this 132 month prospective study.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To conclude observations of efficacy of longterm methotrexate (MTX) treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Twenty-six patients with RA entered a prospective study of MTX in 1983. The study was completed after 132 months of therapy. RESULTS: Significant improvement (p < 0.001) was noted in the number of painful joints, swollen joints, and physician and patient global assessments. There was 50% improvement in the joint pain index and joint swelling index in > 65% of the patients. A significant reduction in prednisone dose was achieved. Sixteen patients withdrew from the study. Toxicity led to 3 drug related withdrawals of study patients (alopecia 1; pneumonitis 2). At 132 months, 10 patients (38%) had completed the study; 3 patients (11%) discontinued due to MTXtoxicity. CONCLUSION:MTX was an effective treatment for RA in this 132 month prospective study.
Authors: Jeffrey A Sparks; Medha Barbhaiya; Elizabeth W Karlson; Susan Y Ritter; Soumya Raychaudhuri; Cassandra C Corrigan; Fengxin Lu; Jacob Selhub; Daniel I Chasman; Nina P Paynter; Paul M Ridker; Daniel H Solomon Journal: Semin Arthritis Rheum Date: 2017-02-10 Impact factor: 5.532
Authors: M Hoekstra; A E van Ede; C J Haagsma; M A F J van de Laar; T W J Huizinga; M W M Kruijsen; R F J M Laan Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Y Berkun; D Levartovsky; A Rubinow; H Orbach; S Aamar; T Grenader; I Abou Atta; D Mevorach; G Friedman; A Ben-Yehuda Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Maria Angeles Lopez-Olivo; Harish R Siddhanamatha; Beverley Shea; Peter Tugwell; George A Wells; Maria E Suarez-Almazor Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2014-06-10