Use of methotrexate in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2010 Sep-Oct;28(5 Suppl 61):S128-31. Epub 2010 Oct 28.

Abstract

The disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) methotrexate (MTX) is widely used and well accepted for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the use of MTX is not recommended for the axial manifestations and may have some efficacy in the peripheral involvement. For this disease there is a lack of clinical trials, and most of the trials did not show efficacy on the axial symptoms of the disease. Furthermore, there is no evidence that MTX increases the effects or prevents the side effects of TNF-blockers if given in combination. In this paper the available data of MTX in AS will be discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / drug therapy*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Biological Products
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Methotrexate