A CONTROLLED 2-CENTER TRIAL OF PARENTERAL METHOTREXATE THERAPY FOR REFRACTORY RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

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  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (6) , 760-763
Abstract
Patients (48) with rheumatoid arthritis refractory to other treatments were studied in a placebo controlled trial of methotrexate (MTX) in 2 institutions. Once weekly for 6 wk, the patients were injected with placebo (group 1), MTX 10 mg (group 2) or MTX 25 mg (group 3). For the next 6 wk, group 1 received MTX, either 10 or 25 mg/wk and groups 2 and 3 continued their same dose. Adverse reactions necessitated change from 25 mg-10 mg in some patients, but no major side effects of MTX were noted. At 6 wk, the effect of the 2 MTX doses did not differ significantly, but patients on MTX had fared significantly better (P < 0.005 - < 0.001) than those given placebo. At 12 wk, all indices showed significant improvement in group 1 and maintenance or enhancement of the improvement in groups 2 and 3. Weekly low dose MTX therapy is seemingly efficacious for refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

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