title: Low-dose oral methotrexate in refractory inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose weekly, oral methotrexate in patients with steroid-dependent or steroid-refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Oral methotrexate was given weekly at 15 mg/week. The primary criterion of response was based on steroid withdrawal. Of the 10 patients with Crohn's disease, daily prednisone dosage dropped from a mean of 37 +/- 9.6 mg to 8.3 +/- 2.1 mg/day (P < 0.02); two had a complete withdrawal and four a partial response (< 7.5 mg/day). In the eight patients with ulcerative colitis, daily prednisone dose dropped from a mean of 26.3 +/- 3.2 mg/day to 12.7 +/- 2.0 mg/day (P < 0.001); three had a partial response. Adverse effects due to methotrexate were mild in both groups. We conclude that oral methotrexate may be useful and reasonably safe as a steroid-sparing agent in patients with refractory IBD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Truss
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Elson
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate