The　currellt　state　of methotrexate　therapy　for juvenile　idiopathic　arthritis　in　Japan - The　study　group　of senior pediatric　rheumatologists　in　Japan．

Abstract

Low　dose　weekly　methotrexate（MTX）is　one　of　the　most　effective　drugs　in　the　treatment　for　juvenile idiopathic　arthritis（JIA）．The　purpose　of　the　present　study　was　to　investigate　the　current　state　of　MTX　therapy for　JIA　ill　Japan．　A　questionnaire　was　sent　to　15　pediatricians　including　l2 pediatric　rheumatologists　in　Japan．　It was　the　most　common　method　that　starting 　weekly　dose　was　6mg/m2　and dosage was increased to 10mg/m2　by 2mg/m2　every　l - 2 weeks．　Folate　supplement　was　variably　performed．　Abdominal　discomfort　and　nausea　were frequently　observed．　The　assessment　of　efficacy　was　performed　after　three　months　of treatment．　The　criteria　for withdrawal　or　discontinuation　of　MTX　therapy　were　variable．　These　results　revealed　that　there　was　still　a significant　variation　of　MTX　treatment　among　institutes　in　Japan．　Toward　the　establishment　of　all　appropriate MTX　therapy，a　national　wide　population based　study　is　desired．