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.
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