Systemic chemotherapy for psoriasis: a national survey.
A questionnaire that was mailed to 510 randomly selected dermatologists in the United States surveyed their use of three systemic chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of psoriasis during the two-year period of 1973 to 1974. Methotrexate was used by 52% of the surveyed dermatologists, while hydroxyurea and azaribine were used by 10% and 2%, respectively. Seventy-five percent of the dermatologists who used methotrexate treated ten or fewer psoriatic patients with this drug. Multiple dose therapy with methotrexate divided over a period of 36 hours each week was the preferred schedule of 66% of the dermatologists. Liver biopsy specimens and creatinine clearance tests were obtained for only 17% and 35% of patients, respectively, prior to initiating methotrexate therapy. The estimated number of dermatologist-treated psoriatics nationwide receiving methotrexate is 25,000.
D000328:Adult; D001380:Azauridine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000139:chemically induced
D001380:Azauridine; D006918:Hydroxyurea; D008727:Methotrexate