Methotrexate for systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective analysis of 17 unselected cases.
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.
Wilke
W S
WS
Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Disease, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195-5028.
Krall
P L
PL
Scheetz
R J
RJ
Babiak
T
T
Danao
T
T
Mazanec
D J
DJ
Segal
A M
AM
Clough
J D
JD
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
D008727:Methotrexate