Usefulness of methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Keywords:
Rheumatoid arthritis, antirheumatic drugs, methotrexate, side effects.Abstract
Introduction: Methotrexate has been a mainstay in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis for decades. However, opinions on its usefulness can be divided between those who support it and those who have reservations, depending on several factors ranging from clinical effectiveness to side effects and cost considerations.
Objective: To explore the usefulness of methotrexate, considering the side effects reported by patients treated with this medication.
Material and Methods: In March-September 2022, an exploratory and descriptive study was carried out in the Biblián parish of Cañar province, Ecuador. For sample selection, patients aged 18 to 65 years diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were considered.
Results: Methotrexate is a relatively safe drug. Among patients who received methotrexate as part of single or combination therapy, the incidence of self-reported side effects was 99.4%. Apart from the usual minor side effects (41.1%) such as fatigue, nausea, anorexia, oral stomatitis/ulcers, epigastric burning, hair loss and vomiting, no serious or life-threatening side effects were reported. In this study, 64.1% of patients presented with anemia, 1.7% had leukopenia, 4.3% had thrombocytopenia, and 13.7% had elevated transaminase levels.
Conclusions: Treatment modification aimed at reducing adverse effects improves patient comfort without affecting treatment efficacy. These findings support the usefulness of methotrexate in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, provided that adequate monitoring of side effects is performed.Downloads
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