Methotrexate in psoriatic arthritis: a retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting joints and skin.
• Methotrexate is a common disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) used in psoriatic arthritis treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of methotrexate in psoriatic arthritis patients.
• To identify factors associated with a favorable response to methotrexate therapy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 59 consecutive psoriatic arthritis patients treated with methotrexate.
• Standard initial dose of 15 mg weekly, with dose reduction upon clinical improvement.
• Adverse events and treatment duration were recorded.

Main Results:

• Methotrexate was discontinued in 7 patients within a year due to adverse reactions.
• Of the 52 remaining patients, 21 showed modest improvement, and 22 experienced near remission of joint disease.
• Favorable response correlated with shorter arthritis duration but not disease severity.

Conclusions:

• Methotrexate demonstrates sustained efficacy in a significant proportion of psoriatic arthritis patients.
• Early intervention with methotrexate may lead to better long-term outcomes.
• Monitoring for adverse reactions is crucial during methotrexate therapy for psoriatic arthritis.