Methotrexate in refractory rheumatoid arthritis

Fourteen patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis refractory to hydroxychloroquine, gold-thioglucose, D-penicillamine and azathioprine completed a 6-month open study with oral methotrexate (2.5 to 5 mg every 12 hours, three doses weekly). Twelve of them were followed up for 12 months. Compared with pretreatment values, there was a significant reduction in duration of morning stiffness (p less than 0.01), in the number of tender or painful joints (p less than 0.02), number of swollen joints (p less than 0.01), visual analog scale, patient's assessment of joint discomfort and overall well-being (p less than 0.01) after 2, 6 and 12 months. Likewise there was an improvement in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p less than 0.001) C-reactive protein (p less than 0.01) and the levels of IgG, IgM and IgA (p less than 0.01). Two patients were withdrawn from the study, one for severe diarrhoea and one because of a depression. Adverse reactions during methotrexate therapy included nausea (5/16) and transaminase elevation (4/16). We conclude that this pilot study provides evidence that a weekly low dose of methotrexate is effective in the short-term treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, refractory to hydroxychloroquine, auriothioglucose, D-penicillamine and azathioprine.