[Serum liver tests in patients treated with methotrexate. A retrospective analysis].
BACKGROUND
Methotrexate is one of the best systemic treatments for psoriasis. However it has significant adverse effects such as myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate serum liver test in psoriatic patients treated with methotrexate.


METHODS
Retrospective review of medical records of psoriatic patients treated with methotrexate between the years 2000 and 2005. All patients received a minimum of 7.5 mg weekly of methotrexate, for at least 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Sixty three patients were included. Mean cumulative dose of methotrexate was 576 mg. Thirty two percent had alterations in liver tests, but only 9% had values that duplicated the upper limit of normal range of aminotransferases or alkaline phosphatases or a serum bilirubin over 2 mg/dl. We did not find a direct relationship between the dose of methotrexate and the magnitude of liver test alterations. Only one patient exceeded 1.5 g as cumulative dose. A liver biopsy performed to him, did not show signs of fibrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This retrospective study does not show a direct relationship between weekly doses, cumulated dose and length of treatment with methotrexate, and the degree of alteration of serum liver tests.
Correa G
Hernán
H
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Sótero del Río, Chile. hcorreag@uc.cl
Paredes S
Natalia
N
D000208:Acute Disease; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D056487:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic / Q000473:pathology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000637:Transaminases; D008727:Methotrexate