title: Histopathologic findings in the liver of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with long-term bolus methotrexate.
abstract: Twenty-three patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis were treated with oral methotrexate (MTX) for more than 10 years. MTX was given as a bolus of 5-15 mg/week; the total cumulative dose ranged from 4,690 mg to 10,230 mg. Liver biopsies were performed on 21 of the patients to assess possible fibrosis and cirrhosis. Grade I histopathologic changes were found in 13 of the 21 biopsy samples, grade II changes were found in 3, and grade IIIA changes (mild fibrosis) were found in 5 specimens. None of the biopsy samples showed cirrhosis. Repeat biopsies were performed on the 5 patients with grade IIIA changes while they were still taking MTX. No progression of the fibrosis was noted. Two of the 5 samples, however, were graded IIIB because of portal and perilobular inflammation. Our findings support the premise that prolonged administration of oral MTX, when given as a weekly bolus at a low dose, does not cause cirrhosis or severe fibrosis in the rheumatoid arthritis patient who does not abuse alcohol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aponte
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate