[Use of methotrexate for treatment of corticosteroid-dependent asthma]

We evaluated the effects of methotrexate treatment in 20 subjects (10 men, 10 women) suffering from corticosteroid-dependent asthma. All patients had been treated with 15 mg of prednisone or more per day for at least 3 years before including in the study. Methotrexate (15 mg once weekly) had been given for 9.7 months on average. Oral steroid intake was reduced by 50% in 8 patients and it was possible to discontinue oral corticosteroids in further 6 patients without deterioration of spirometric parameters at the end of the study. Side effects of methotrexate therapy were observed in 40% of patients, and required the discontinuation of treatment in 6 subjects.