RESEARCH - Long-term MTX monotherapy for RA appears safe

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Long-Term Methotrexate Monotherapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis Appears Safe

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jul 03 - In adults with rheumatoid arthritis

(RA), long term methotrexate (MTX) therapy is associated with

" favorable " safety, according to a meta-analysis in the July issue of

the ls of Rheumatic Diseases.

Dr. C. Salliot of Hopital Cochin in Paris, France and Dr. D. van der

Heijde of Leiden University Medical Center in The Netherlands reviewed

88 studies of patients with RA treated with MTX monotherapy for at

least two years. The researchers note that no randomized controlled

trials met the duration criterion.

" Over 12 years of treatment, the termination rate of MTX due to

toxicity was less than for sulfasalazine, gold, and D-penicillamine

but higher than for hydrochloroquine, " the researchers report.

Thirteen percent of patients had significant liver enzyme elevations,

and 3.7% discontinued MTX for hepatotoxicity.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/705337

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