Methotrexate in primary Sjögren's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).


METHODS
An open, one-year pilot study of MTX (0.2 mg/kg body weight taken weekly) for the treatment of SS was performed. Seventeen patients with primary SS according to EEC criteria were enrolled in the study. Outcome was determined on the basis of clinical and laboratory parameters.


RESULTS
Weekly administration of MTX resulted in improvement of the main subjective symptoms (dry mouth and eyes) as well as in the frequency of parotid gland enlargement, dry cough and purpura. However, no improvement in the objective parameters of dry eyes and dry mouth were observed. Persistent asymptomatic elevation of the hepatic transaminase levels led to a dosage reduction in 7 patients (41%).


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly MTX may be an acceptable form of therapy for SS patients. Double-blind trials are needed to substantiate the efficacy of this therapeutic modality.
Department of Medicine, Medical School of Ioannina, Greece.
F N
FN
Skopouli
P
P
Jagiello
N
N
Tsifetaki
H M
HM
Moutsopoulos
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate