Stress fracture in long term methotrexate treatment for psoriatic arthritis

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Abstract
Psoriasis had been diagnosed at age 17 years. Initially, topical drugs were prescribed. Periodically etretinate, a synthetic analogue of retinoid acid, and photochemotherapy were prescribed as additional treatment. The patient did not receive cyclosporin. Oligoarthritis of her knees and ankles first appeared at an age of 25 years. Management with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sporadically an intra-articular injection of corticosteroids was adequate to control the symptoms. At age 37 a severe polyarthritis of elbows, wrists, finger joints, ankles, and metatarsophalangeal joints developed. Treatment with methotrexate (MTX) was started at an initial dose of 7.5 mg weekly, resulting in a good clinical response. Two years later the dosage was gradually increased to 20 mg weekly because of a flare.