title: Methotrexate pneumonitis in rheumatoid arthritis: potential risk factors. Four case reports and a review of the literature.
abstract: Methotrexate pneumonitis is emerging as one of the most unpredictable and potentially serious adverse effects associated with the use of low dose, pulse methotrexate in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report 4 new cases of methotrexate pneumonitis in patients with RA and review 6 published cases. A greater than expected proportion of patients had a smoking history, preexisting pulmonary disease and were male. Prognosis was better in those patients treated with corticosteroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa General Hospital, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Searles
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McKendry
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate