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PMID: 3449308 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Low dose pulse methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis: an 8-year experience with hepatotoxicity.

Clinical rheumatology ·Vol. 6 ·No. 4 ·1987-12-00 ·Pages 575-82

Leonard PA, Clegg DO, Carson CC, Cannon GW, Egger MJ, Ward JR

Abstract

The clinical utility of standard liver function tests for monitoring low dose pulse methotrexate therapy is reviewed in 163 rheumatoid arthritis patients over an eight-year period. Abnormalities of hepatic enzymes were seen in 58% of patients but led to cessation of therapy in only 5%. Moderate alcohol intake did not affect the frequency of liver test abnormalities. Abnormalities were seen more frequently in patients with longer duration of methotrexate therapy and in those with higher total dose. There was no correlation between liver test abnormalities and day of serum sampling relative to day of methotrexate dosing, nor was a correlation seen between liver test abnormalities and total weekly dose of methotrexate. Methotrexate has been demonstrated to be an effective drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The clinical utility of standard liver tests to predict the potential for hepatotoxicity is questionable.

MeSH Terms
Adult Age Factors Aged Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy Bilirubin/blood Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury Drug Administration Schedule Female Humans Liver Function Tests Male Methotrexate/administration & dosage,adverse effects Middle Aged Retrospective Studies Serum Albumin/metabolism Sex Factors Transaminases/blood
Chemicals
Serum Albumin Transaminases Bilirubin Methotrexate
Authors & Affiliations
6 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Leonard P A
University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
Clegg D O
Carson C C
Cannon G W
Egger M J
Ward J R
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Article Info
Journal
Clinical rheumatology
Abbr.
Clin Rheumatol
ISSN
0770-3198
DOI
10.1007/BF02330596
Published
1987-12-00
Pages
575-82
Language
English
Region
Germany
NLM ID
8211469
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/BF02330596 View journal details
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