Prednisone methotrexate rheumatoid arthritis

The median duration of prednisone treatment was significantly shorter in the methotrexate group than in the placebo group , resulting in a lower mean cumulative dose of prednisone. Moreover, fewer relapses involving cranial symptoms occurred among patients in the methotrexate group than among the control subjects. Disease relapse occurred in 9 patients in the methotrexate group, compared with 16 patients in the placebo group. All patients responded to initial treatment. One patient in the methotrexate group and 2 in the placebo group were lost to follow-up. The 2 groups were similar at baseline, with a mean age of 78 years, a mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 91 and 100 mm/h respectively, and a polymyalgia rheumatica prevalence of 57% and 52% respectively. Results: Twenty-one patients received prednisone and methotrexate and 21 received prednisone and placebo. Secondary outcome measures included the number of adverse effects from the treatment drugs. The primary outcome measures were the number of disease relapses and the cumulative dose of prednisone during treatment.