The use of methotrexate in children with rheumatic diseases.
Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most useful drugs for the treatment of various rheumatic diseases in children, mainly juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), and localised scleroderma. MTX is considered the standard treatment of JIA, particularly of those subgroups with polyarticular course. JIA response and remission rates to MTX are the standard for comparison with other drug modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) and biologic agents in clinical trials. On the other hand, short and long-term data suggest that MTX is a safety drug in the paediatric population with rheumatic diseases. Not surprisingly, MTX is the DMARD of choice in JIA either as monotherapeutic drug or in combination with biologic agents.
Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General de México, México.
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Gutiérrez-Suárez
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Burgos-Vargas
D000293:Adolescent; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D008727:Methotrexate