title: Methotrexate for corticosteroid-resistant polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.
abstract: Three patients (one with polymyalgia rheumatica with jaw claudication and two with biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis) were initially treated using prednisone (40-60 mg daily). The response was good in all three, but each experienced exacerbation of symptoms and elevation of Westergren sedimentation rates (WSR) with dose reduction. The addition of methotrexate (7.5-12.5 mg/wk) resulted in diminished symptoms and lower WSR and proved to be steroid-sparing.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Krall
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mazanec
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Wilke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate