The use of methotrexate in polymyalgia rheumatica.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy and steroid sparing potential of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) without giant cell arteritis.


METHODS
43 patients with PMR were treated with MTX 7.5 mg/wk for 3 months. This dose was raised to 10 and finally 12.5 mg/wk MTX if the desired response was not obtained.


RESULTS
No patient benefitted clinically or statistically from treatment with MTX.


CONCLUSIONS
MTX is of no benefit in the treatment of PMR.
Feinberg
H L
HL
Ashland Arthritis Center, Kentucky, USA.
Sherman
J D
JD
Schrepferman
C G
CG
Dietzen
C J
CJ
Feinberg
G D
GD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001799:Blood Sedimentation / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate