title: Toxicity profile of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. A preliminary survey.
abstract: A number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis attending the Rheumatology Clinic at St Luke's Hospital are currently receiving the drug methotrexate as a second line disease-modifying agent. A survey has been conducted to assess the toxicity profile of methotrexate in 33 of these patients who were followed up for at least 1 year or until they developed side effects necessitating discontinuation of treatment. Adverse effects in this group of patients included haematological ones (6%), asymptomatic elevations of liver enzymes (57%), gastrointestinal (6%) and dermatological side effects (3%). These results have been compared to larger studies performed abroad. Regular monitoring of a complete blood count and liver function tests has helped to detect the more serious side effects of methotrexate at an early stage enabling successful intervention in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, St. Luke's Hospital, Malta.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coleiro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mallia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000748:Anemia, Macrocytic / Q000139:chemically induced; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005076:Exanthema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010198:Pancytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005492:Folic Acid; D008727:Methotrexate