Durability of treatment with methotrexate in Venezuelan patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatol Int. 2007 Apr;27(6):531-6. doi: 10.1007/s00296-006-0261-x. Epub 2006 Nov 11.

Abstract

A multicenter, national, retrospective, and cross-sectional study of 219 hospital-based Venezuelan patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was aimed to evaluate the probability of continuity of treatment with oral methotrexate (MTX). Treatment survival decreased from 92% at 12 months to 42% at 180 months, as assessed by life table analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method. Forty-seven patients stopped treatment and adverse effects (29.7%) and lack of continuous access to medication (19.1%) were the most common causes for withdrawal. MTX survival was decreased in the group with combined MTX plus leflunomide therapy, as shown by the log-rank test. Venezuelan patients with RA have a probability of continuing treatment with oral MTX comparable to non-Hispanic patient populations. However, concomitant use of leflunomide may increase the risk of interruption of MTX treatment in this RA population.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antirheumatic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / epidemiology*
  • Comorbidity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isoxazoles / administration & dosage
  • Isoxazoles / adverse effects
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Leflunomide
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage*
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Venezuela / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Isoxazoles
  • Leflunomide
  • Methotrexate