title: Methotrexate in psoriatic polyarthritis.
abstract: Methotrexate (MTX) is widely accepted as an effective treatment for psoriasis and chronic polyarthrides. We report data from 54 psoriatic polyarthritis patients (354 encounters) treated with MTX. 65% were males, mean age 47.9 years, mean disease duration 9.8 years for arthritis, 14.2 years for psoriasis. The MTX dose was 10-12.5 mg/week. 32 patients are still on MTX after a mean treatment time of 1.6 years. 22 patients discontinued MTX treatment: 11 felt it to be ineffective, in 6 patients there were side effects, 3 patients obtained remission, while 2 patients underwent surgery. Efficacy was good on the whole: number of swollen and tender joints, global disease activity score, ESR, and CRP all underwent a significant reduction. The intake of symptomatic drugs was reduced in 40%. Psoriasis as assessed with the Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index showed a significant improvement. Our data confirm that MTX is of value in most psoriatic polyarthritis patients (60%). In our experience, this drug, gives the maximum efficacy within 6 months of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Pigatto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gibelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossetti
mesh_terms: D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate