Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with methotrexate: a prospective open longterm study of 191 cases.
One hundred and ninety-one patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were included in a prospective open longterm study of the safety, efficacy and maintenance of methotrexate (MTX) treatment. The mean duration of MTX treatment was 19 +/- 13.2 (3-58) months; the mean weekly dose of MTX was 10.2 +/- 0.2 mg. Analysis of the 191 patients in an intent-to-treat manner showed a significant improvement of all the clinical variables and a decrease of erythrocyte sedimentation rate with a steroid sparing effect. The probability of continuing MTX therapy for up to 2 years was 65% and for up to 5 years was 46%. Adverse effects of MTX occurred in 37.1% of the patients, but only 15.7% discontinued MTX permanently.
Sany
J
J
Service d'Immuno-Rhumatologie, CHU, Montpellier, France.
Anaya
J M
JM
Lussiez
V
V
Couret
M
M
Combe
B
B
Daures
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D008727:Methotrexate