Methotrexate for corticosteroid-resistant polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.
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.
Krall
P L
PL
Mazanec
D J
DJ
Wilke
W S
WS
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
D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate