[Methotrexate in the treatment of peripheral arthritis in ulcerative colitis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate efficacy of methotrexate treatment in peripheral arthritis of ulcerative colitis.


METHODS
We studied 18 patients (10/8 M/F; mean age: 38.90 yrs; range: 21-65 yrs), with peripheral arthritis (14 with polyarticular, 4 with oligoarticular subset) associate ulcerative colitis. Methotrexate 20 mg/week was administered in our patients, who were already receiving mesalazina for inflammatory bowel disease. At baseline, after 3 (T1), 6 (T2) and 12 months (T3) serological parameters (ESR and CRP), functional status (HAQ) and disease activity (VAS, GH, Ritchie articular index) were evaluated.


RESULTS
During the therapy a significant improvement was observed in disease activity, functional status and serological parameters since T1. ESR and CRP did not change at T2 and T3. Instead VAS, GH, Ritchie articular index and HAQ had a significant and gradual improvement from T1 to T3.


CONCLUSIONS
Methotrexate treatment was efficacious in the treatment of peripheral arthritis associate ulcerative colitis. This drug induced improvement in disease activity, functional status and serological parameters after 3 months of therapy.
Peluso
R
R
Settore di Diagnostica delle Spondiloartriti, Cattedra di Reumatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italia. rosario.peluso2@unina.it
Atteno
M
M
Iervolino
S
S
Bruner
V
V
Caso
F
F
Costa
L
L
Raimondo
M
M
Lofrano
M
M
Manguso
F
F
Scarpa
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D025242:Spondylarthropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate