The Journal of rheumatology 1996 Sep

The use of methotrexate in polymyalgia rheumatica.

Abstract

Objective

To examine the efficacy and steroid sparing potential of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) without giant cell arteritis.

Methods

43 patients with PMR were treated with MTX 7.5 mg/wk for 3 months. This dose was raised to 10 and finally 12.5 mg/wk MTX if the desired response was not obtained.

Results

No patient benefitted clinically or statistically from treatment with MTX.

Conclusion

MTX is of no benefit in the treatment of PMR.

Related Questions

How will you approach drug sequencing in patients with PMR given the SAPHYR data?

2 Answers

Mednet Member

Rheumatology · Harvard Medical School- MGH

The SAPHYR study enrolled patients with PMR who relapsed while tapering prednisone at daily doses equal to or greater than 7.5 mg. One group of patients received sarilumab 200 mg every 2 weeks along with a 14-week prednisone taper and another group of patients received a placebo along with a 52-week...