Methotrexate Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Editorials1 October 1985Methotrexate Treatment of Rheumatoid ArthritisROBERT F. WILLKENS, M.D.ROBERT F. WILLKENS, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-103-4-612 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptControlled studies showing the effectiveness of methotrexate (1-3) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis confirm earlier anecdotal reports (4, 5). For the most part, these studies have been short-term and have uniformly described minimal toxicity. The awareness of this favorable therapeutic-to-toxic ratio of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis is reflected in cursory surveys that suggest that most rheumatologists are using this drug to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis even though it is sanctioned for such use.The limited toxicity seen in short-term studies is undoubtedly related to patient selection, which eliminates those at high risk for the development of adverse effects....References1. ANDERSONWESTO'DELLVIACLAYPOOLKOTZIN PSJCRB. Weekly pulse methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis: clinical and immunologic effects in a randomized double-blind study. Ann Intern Med. 1985;103:489-96. LinkGoogle Scholar2. WEINBLATTCOBLYNFOX MJD. Efficacy of low-dose methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 1985;312:818-22. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. WILLIAMSWILLKENSSAMUELSON HRC. Comparison of low dose pulse methotrexate and placebo in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1985;28:721-30. 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Methotrexate therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: fifteen years experience. Am J Med. 1983;75(6A):69-73. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. SOSTMANMATTHAYPUTNAMSMITH HRCG. Methotrexate-induced pneumonitis. Medicine. 1976;55:371-88. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. CANNONWARDCLEGGSAMUELSONABBOTT GJDCT. Acute lung disease associated with low-dose pulse methotrexate therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1983;26:1269-74. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar13. BAOLINTINDALLROENIGKHOGAN PJHM. Is methotrexate therapy for psoriasis carcinogenic? A modified retrospective-prospective analysis. JAMA. 1975;232:359-62. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar14. BUNCHO'DUFFYTOMPKINS TJU. Controlled study of hydroxychloroquine and penicillamine singly and in combination in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis [Abstract]. Arthritis Rheum. 1980;23:659. Google Scholar15. MACKINNONSTARKEBAUMWILLKENS SGR. Pancytopenia associated with the use of low dose pulse methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Sem Arthritis Rheum. 1985. (In press). CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar16. BUTLERTILIAKOS DN. Low-dose cytotoxic drug combination therapy in intractable rheumatoid arthritis [Abstract]. Arthritis Rheum. 1985;28(suppl):S15. Google Scholar17. WEINSTEINFROST GP. Methotrexate for psoriasis: a new therapeutic schedule. Arch Dermatol. 1971;103:33-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar18. GAYLISLECHNERBLECHMAN NBW. Clinical experience in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with oral or intramuscular low dose pulse methotrexate [Abstract]. In: Sixteenth International Congress of Rheumatology, Sydney, Australia. 1985:130, 213. Google Scholar19. ZACHARIAEKRAGBALLETHESTRUP-PEDERSENKISSMEYER-NIELSEN HKKF. HLA antigens in methotrexate-induced liver cirrhosis. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh). 1980;60:165-6. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. 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Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Harborview Medical Center Seattle, Washington PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byDrug repurposing to improve treatment of rheumatic autoimmune inflammatory diseasesLow-Dose Methotrexate: A Mainstay in the Treatment of Rheumatoid ArthritisTotal Knee Replacement in Juvenile Rheumatoid ArthritisMethotrexate potentiates bradykinin-induced increase in macromolecular efflux from the hamster oral mucosaSteroid–sparing agents in the treatment of asthmaRheumatic DisordersInhibition of basophil histamine release by methotrexateA modified mouse air pouch model for evaluating the effects of compounds on granuloma induced cartilage degradationA Woman with Rheumatoid ArthritisMethotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis Indications, Contraindications, Efficacy, and SafetyPETER TUGWELL, M.D., KATHRYN BENNETT, M.Sc., MICHAEL GENT, M.Sc.Lack of association between hla–dr2 and clinical response to methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritisThe Eye and Joint DiseaseHepatotoxicity Associated with Low-dose, Long-term Methotrexate Treatment of Rheumatoid ArthritisCorrection: Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis 1 October 1985Volume 103, Issue 4Page: 612-613KeywordsDrugsMethotrexateRheumatoid arthritisToxicity Issue Published: 1 October 1985 PDF downloadLoading ...