title: Methotrexate for systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective analysis of 17 unselected cases.
abstract: We report a retrospective study of 17 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who were treated with oral methotrexate given as a mean weekly dose of 8.47 +/- 1.72 mg. Methotrexate treatment resulted in symptomatic improvement in 57% of patients and allowed the reduction of the mean daily dose of prednisone from 16.66 mg initially to 8.99 mg at one year follow-up. Twelve of 17 patients (70.6%) experienced at least one episode of toxicity. Factors which might be associated with toxicity are analyzed. Because of its potential as a corticosteroid-sparing agent, controlled studies of methotrexate for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus are indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Disease, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195-5028.
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Wilke
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Krall
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Scheetz
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Babiak
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Danao
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mazanec
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Clough
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate