title: Intra-articular methotrexate. Clinical and laboratory study in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.
abstract: The effects of intra-articular methotrexate (MTX) were compared with saline in 20 patients with persistent knee effusions due to rheumatoid arthritis (15) and psoriasis (5) in a double-blind pilot study. Clinical improvement was seen in most patients given either MTX or saline and was attributed to joint irrigation during arthroscopy and the placebo effects. MTX had a local anti-inflammatory effect in the psoriatic arthropathies; the percentages of polymorphonuclear cells and pyroninophilic mononuclear cells in synovial fluids fell sharply. Intraarticular hydrocortisone acetate was not anti-inflammatory in 2 psoriatic patients treated subsequently. The anti-inflammatory action of MTX in joints may resemble its effectiveness in controlling the rash of psoriasis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate