title: A retrospective analysis of patients with bullous pemphigoid treated with methotrexate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate treatment with methotrexate in patients with bullous pemphigoid and to elucidate the reduced adverse effects compared with standard treatment with prednisone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study (January 1, 1999-December 31, 2003).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Karolinska University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 138 consecutive patients with bullous pemphigoid were included and were grouped according to the treatment they received: methotrexate, prednisone, a combination of both, or topical glucocorticoids (for mild disease).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methotrexate was the most effective treatment, with only a few adverse effects and a tendency toward better survival rates in patients with moderate to severe disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methotrexate is an effective and safe drug and provides an excellent treatment option in patients with bullous pemphigoid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. petra.kjellman@karolinska.se
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kjellman
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate