Abstract
Although methotrexate (MTX) has been used as a standard means of drug therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), its use in elderly patients requires particular care in view of the possibility to compromise renal function. We recently investigated the use of this drug for elderly patients with RA and assessed its long-term efficacy and safety. The survey involved 129 patients with RA aged 70 years or older receiving MTX 2 mg tablet therapy as of July 2006 (32 males and 97 females). In each patient, the situation surrounding medication, continuity of medication, responses, dose level, adverse reactions, etc. were investigated. The mean MTX dose level was 5.3 mg/week, and the mean duration of medication was 5 years and 7 months. When responses to the therapy were assessed using DAS28, the score was 3.2 or lower (low disease activity) in 108 (83.7%) of the 129 patients. Adverse reactions were seen in 29 patients (22.5%).Thus, when MTX 2 mg tablet therapy was applied to elderly patients with RA, continuation of treatment was possible in a high percentage of patients, and efficacy and safety were high. If the dose level is selected carefully, this drug may serve as a standard drug for treatment of RA also in elderly patients.
