[Treatment of chronic polyarthritis with low-dose methotrexate]

Methotrexate, 7.5-25.0 mg, was taken in a single weekly dose by 101 patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis. In the course of treatment there was significant improvement in pain and mobility, as well as in the number of inflamed joints, strength of hand-grip (both hands), and use of steroids. There was a significant fall in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and haemoglobin content rose significantly. Improvement occurred in 85% of patients; within this group 30% had a remission during treatment. There were 7% non-responders. Side effects were frequent: gastrointestinal symptoms in about 50%, loss of hair and stomatitis in 10-20%. In nine patients methotrexate had to be discontinued because of side effects, but in six of them the drug was taken again later on. Transaminases increased in 50% of patients. No clear-cut histological changes were found in the liver. It is concluded that low-dose methotrexate is effective in the long-term treatment of chronic rheumatoid arthritis.