A 2 year, open ended trial of methotrexate in systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate a possible role for methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who require unacceptably high doses of glucocorticosteroids (GCS) for control of their disease.


METHODS
Twelve patients with SLE participated in this open ended prospective study. Patients with active renal or central nervous system (CNS) disease were excluded as were patients with liver disease. Serological variables, SLE disease activity index, joint count, and prednisone dose were serially evaluated. Data were analyzed using paired t test and contingency table analysis.


RESULTS
Arthritis was the major persistent problem in 7 patients: 1 patient had recurrent pleuropericarditis, 2 patients had refractory cutaneous lupus rashes and 2 had vasculitis. Three patients discontinued MTX because of side effects. The remaining 9 patients have been treated from 7-26 months. In 6 patients the GCS dose was reduced by an average of 42%. In 1 patient symptoms subsided and joint count was reduced without change in the GCS dose. GCS dosage was increased in 2 patients: 1 with recurrent serositis, 1 with persistent vasculitis. No apparent effect on anti-dsDNA antibodies, complement or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
MTX appears to be useful in selected patients with SLE, especially those with persistent synovitis.
Wilson
K
K
Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-1310.
Abeles
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013585:Synovitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate