Radiologic progression during intramuscular methotrexate treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The radiographic evolution of joint lesions in 41 patients with severe and longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (mean duration: 12.9 years) treated with methotrexate (MTX) for more than 24 months (mean 31.2 months) was studied in a double blind manner by 2 rheumatologists using Larsen's score. All the patients were clinically improved. The radiological study of hands and wrists was possible in only 37 of 41 patients for surgical reasons. We found a deterioration of joint lesions in 31 cases (83.8%), a stabilization in 6 cases (16.2%). MTX does not appear to be able to slow down the radiographic evolution of RA. Whether it could prevent the radiologic progression in early RA remains to be elucidated.
Sany
J
J
Service d'Immuno-Rhumatologie, CHU, Montpellier, France.
Kaliski
S
S
Couret
M
M
Cuchacovich
M
M
Daures
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001175:Arthrography; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D008727:Methotrexate