Hepatotoxicity rates do not differ in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis treated with methotrexate.
OBJECTIVE
MTX hepatotoxicity is considered to occur more frequently in patients with psoriasis than in patients with RA. However, toxicity guidelines are based on reports from studies with small sample sizes and limited follow-up periods. The current study's objective was to examine the long-term risk of MTX hepatotoxicity based on a database review of patients with RA or psoriasis, and to examine whether the two populations differed.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort review among members of a large health maintenance organization (HMO) in Israel who were diagnosed with either RA (n = 119) or psoriasis (n = 690) and who had purchased at least one dose of MTX. Liver function analyses were performed serially in these patients during the follow-up. All abnormal assays were recorded in the computerized database of the HMO.


RESULTS
Both groups had hepatic enzyme elevation; the pre-disposing factors predictive of liver damage were female gender and a higher cumulative dose of MTX (hazard ratios, 1.46 and 1.07, respectively, P < 0.001). Age, concurrent diseases and type of disease had no influence on susceptibility to liver damage. No statistically significant difference was detected in any abnormal liver function test among patients with either RA or psoriasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study did not corroborate previous findings of significant differences between psoriasis patients and RA patients concerning susceptibility to hepatotoxicity from MTX therapy. The only significant factor predicting a higher risk of hepatic damage was female gender.
Amital
Howard
H
Department of Medicine D, Meir Medical Center, Kefar Saba, Israel. howard.amital@clalit.org.il
Arnson
Yoav
Y
Chodick
Gabriel
G
Shalev
Varda
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate