Biomaterial Database

Effects of low dose methotrexate on the bone mineral density of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 1997

L M Buckley, and E S Leib, and K S Cartularo, and P M Vacek, and S M Cooper

Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23219, USA.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of low dose methotrexate (MTX) on bone mineral density (BMD) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS We examined the relationship between BMD and disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) use with data from a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled trial assessing the effects of calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation on BMD of patients with RA. Measurements of BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were performed at baseline and at yearly followup visits over 3 years. RESULTS Information about DMARD use and BMD was available for 133 patients at baseline, and for 95 patients at Year 3. Lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD of MTX and non-MTX treated patients were similar at the start of the study. At the end of 3 years of followup, there was no significant differences in the change in BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar spine in MTX and non-MTX treated patients, in general. However, patients treated with prednisone > or = 5 mg/day plus MTX had greater loss of BMD in the lumbar spine than patients treated with a similar dose of prednisone without MTX (difference -8.08% over 3 years; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS At the end of 3 years, low dose MTX use was not associated with change in femoral neck or lumbar spine BMD in patients who were not treated with corticosteroids. However, among patients treated with prednisone > or = 5 mg/day, combined treatment with MTX and prednisone was associated with greater bone loss in the lumbar spine than treatment with prednisone without MTX.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008159	Lumbar Vertebrae	VERTEBRAE in the region of the lower BACK below the THORACIC VERTEBRAE and above the SACRAL VERTEBRAE.	Vertebrae, Lumbar
D008297	Male		Males
D008727	Methotrexate	An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA.	Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010024	Osteoporosis	Reduction of bone mass without alteration in the composition of bone, leading to fractures. Primary osteoporosis can be of two major types: postmenopausal osteoporosis (OSTEOPOROSIS, POSTMENOPAUSAL) and age-related or senile osteoporosis.	Age-Related Osteoporosis,Bone Loss, Age-Related,Osteoporosis, Age-Related,Osteoporosis, Post-Traumatic,Osteoporosis, Senile,Senile Osteoporosis,Osteoporosis, Involutional,Age Related Osteoporosis,Age-Related Bone Loss,Age-Related Bone Losses,Age-Related Osteoporoses,Bone Loss, Age Related,Bone Losses, Age-Related,Osteoporoses,Osteoporoses, Age-Related,Osteoporoses, Senile,Osteoporosis, Age Related,Osteoporosis, Post Traumatic,Post-Traumatic Osteoporoses,Post-Traumatic Osteoporosis,Senile Osteoporoses
D011241	Prednisone	A synthetic anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid derived from CORTISONE. It is biologically inert and converted to PREDNISOLONE in the liver.	Dehydrocortisone,delta-Cortisone,Apo-Prednisone,Cortan,Cortancyl,Cutason,Dacortin,Decortin,Decortisyl,Deltasone,Encorton,Encortone,Enkortolon,Kortancyl,Liquid Pred,Meticorten,Orasone,Panafcort,Panasol,Predni Tablinen,Prednidib,Predniment,Prednison Acsis,Prednison Galen,Prednison Hexal,Pronisone,Rectodelt,Sone,Sterapred,Ultracorten,Winpred,Acsis, Prednison
D011446	Prospective Studies	Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group.	Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002762	Cholecalciferol	Derivative of 7-dehydroxycholesterol formed by ULTRAVIOLET RAYS breaking of the C9-C10 bond. It differs from ERGOCALCIFEROL in having a single bond between C22 and C23 and lacking a methyl group at C24.	Vitamin D 3,(3 beta,5Z,7E)-9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol,Calciol,Cholecalciferols,Vitamin D3
D004359	Drug Therapy, Combination	Therapy with two or more separate preparations given for a combined effect.	Combination Chemotherapy,Polychemotherapy,Chemotherapy, Combination,Combination Drug Therapy,Drug Polytherapy,Therapy, Combination Drug,Chemotherapies, Combination,Combination Chemotherapies,Combination Drug Therapies,Drug Polytherapies,Drug Therapies, Combination,Polychemotherapies,Polytherapies, Drug,Polytherapy, Drug,Therapies, Combination Drug