Monitoring methotrexate therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

• DOI: 10.5414/cpp42434
• Publication Date: 2011-03-25T07:57:31Z
• Authors: A. Wiela-Hojenska; K. Orzechowska-Ju...; J. Swierkot; P. Wiland; M. Hurkacz; J. Szechinski
• Keywords: Therapeutic index; Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

The aim of this work was to study methotrexate (MTX) kinetics and their relation the effectiveness therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Other aims were analyze influence MTX on liver, kidney, hematopoietic function determine possibility using early drug concentrations predict subsequent value treatment.The observations carried out 49 RA after first dose 7 months treatment. Methotrexate blood serum urine determined fluorescence polarization immunoassay applying a TDx Abbott analyzer.No correlation between concentrations, pharmacokinetic parameters duration disease, its activity, clinical symptoms, pertaining disease made by physician morning stiffness joints seen. Of those tests for evaluation kidney function, only mean activity N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) significantly elevated both before treatment when compared corresponding values control group healthy subjects. We have formulated equations allowing recognition risk adverse effects due impaired elimination from body.Our results show that monitoring does not improve treatment, but it can play an important role increasing safety drug.