Journal of Developing Drugs
Open Access
ISSN: 2329-6631
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2329-6631
+44 1478 350008
Sherif M Gamal, Bassel EL-Zorkany, and Sherine A El-Mofty
Cairo University, Egypt
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Develop Drugs
Aim: To evaluate frequency and causes of discontinuation of methotrexate (MTX) in a group of Egyptian patients and to identify factors that may increase the incidence of methotrexate discontinuation. Patients & Methods: 157 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with disease duration of at least one year, using or were using methotrexate, were included in this study. All patients were subjected to full history taking, including the cause of discontinuation of methotrexate for those who stopped methotrexate, full detailed clinical examination, laboratory assessment, x-ray hands and assessment of disease activity score (28 joints) (DAS 28) for all RA patients, patients were divided into two groups according to the current status of MTX use, to identify factors which may increase the incidence of methotrexate discontinuation. Results: 46 (29.3%) of the patients stopped MTX due to different causes, hepatic and gastrointestinal side effects were the most common causes of discontinuation, representing together 69.5% of causes of discontinuation. We found significant statistical difference between the two groups regarding disease duration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), corticosteroid and non steroidalanti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use. Conclusion: MTX is a safe and effective drug for RA patients and usually well tolerated, however the use of NSAIDs and corticosteroid may be associated with increased risk of discontinuation of methotrexate especially in patients with long standing disease.
Email: sherif775@hotmail.com