METHOTREXATE - TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS IN PATIENTS OF ADVANCED AGE

The authors report on the treatment results and side effects of a low-dose methotrexate treatment course (5-10 mg/week) applied to 35 patients of over 65 years of age (average 72 years) suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. 29 of these 35 patients had been suffering from the disease for many years, the duration being less than one year in 6 patients only. Hence the results of the course are of course of limited value; however, the low incidence of side effects at the chosen dosage level must be pointed out. Methotrexate can be recommended even for patients of advanced age due to the fact that it is well tolerated and easy to apply. Control, however, must be well organised and closely meshed.