title: Postoperative joint infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients on methotrexate therapy.
abstract: The effect of low dose methotrexate (MTX) on postoperative complications in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing elective total joint arthroplasty was observed prospectively in 32 patients. Patients were assigned to discontinue MTX the week prior to and during the week of surgery (Group 1, n = 19) or to continue MTX throughout the perioperative period (Group 2, n = 13). Nineteen patients in Group 1 had 26 procedures, with no postoperative infections. Thirteen patients in Group 2 had 16 procedures, with 4 postoperative infections: 2 infected prostheses, 1 infected joint fusion, and 1 deep wound infection (P = .03). No patient had a postoperative flare of rheumatoid arthritis. Temporary discontinuation of MTX prior to joint arthroplasty appears to decrease the risk of postoperative infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colo. 80045-5000, USA.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Vogelgesang
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Casey Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate