Long-term drug survival of biological agents in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the long-term drug survival (time to drug discontinuation) of biological agents (BA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical practice. Factors associated with discontinuation of BAs were also investigated. METHOD: We conducted an observational longitudinal study of RA patients taking BAs from 1999 to 2013. The primary endpoint was BA discontinuation due to: adverse drug reactions (ADRs), inefficacy, and other causes. Incidence rates of discontinuation (IRs) per 100 patient-years were estimated using survival techniques. Comparisons between BA discontinuation rates and other associated factors were made using Cox regression models. RESULTS: We included 851 courses of BA therapy (1869 patient-years). Adalimumab (33%) was the BA most frequently used, followed by etanercept (24.4%), infliximab, and rituximab. Treatment was suspended in 558 cases [IR 29.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 27-32]. In the first year of therapy 68% continued on BAs, and after 10 years the retention rate did not exceed 10%. The IR due to inefficacy was 12.1 (95% CI 10.6-13.8) and the IR of ADRs was 13.6 (95% CI 12-15). The unadjusted IR was higher for rituximab than for tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists. In multivariate analysis, infliximab was the BA with the highest risk of discontinuation, compared to adalimumab. Calendar period, taking subsequent courses of BAs, concomitant therapy, and specific comorbidities were also independent factors associated with discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: After several years of BA treatment in clinical practice, the survival rate was low, mainly as a result of ADRs and inefficacy. We also found differences between the discontinuation rates of BAs and other clinical factors that modify their survival.

Leflunomide discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis and influence of associated disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs: a survival analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to describe the rate of leflunomide discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, in standard clinical practice, and to analyse which factors could influence this rate, paying particular attention to the concomitant treatment with other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). METHOD: We selected RA patients, diagnosed according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, attending the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital (Madrid, Spain), who had started treatment with leflunomide between 1 January 2006 and 1 January 2011. Clinical records were examined until withdrawal of the drug, loss of follow-up, or 1 October 2011. Kaplan-Meier curves were set to account for leflunomide withdrawal. Cox bivariate and multivariate regression models were conducted to examine risk factors for leflunomide discontinuation. RESULTS: The incident rate (IR) for leflunomide discontinuation, regardless of the cause, was 27 per 100 patient-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 22-31]. We observed, in both the bivariate and multivariate regression analysis, that those aged > 75 years at the start of the leflunomide treatment and undergoing concurrent treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and/or hydroxychloroquine (HC) had a significantly higher risk of leflunomide discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: An older age at the start of the treatment with leflunomide, or concomitant treatment with MTX and/or HC, could be associated with a higher risk of leflunomide discontinuation, regardless of the cause. Therefore, when taking MTX or HC, patients receiving leflunomide should be closely monitored early to detect the occurrence of adverse reactions, and hence prevent their aggravation.

Long-term use of antimalarial drugs in rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term use of antimalarial drugs and to analyse all causes of discontinuation. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of a cohort of rheumatic diseases patients on antimalarials, during a maximum period of 17.5 years. Case was defined as antimalarial treatment discontinuation due to: a) lack of efficacy, b) adverse events, and c) other causes. Survival techniques were used to estimate the incidence rate (IR) per 1,000 patient-years with the 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) of antimalarial treatment discontinuation. Cox regression models were conducted to evaluate possible associated factors to antimalarial discontinuation. RESULTS: One thousand, two hundred and ninety-one medical records were reviewed, and 778 patients were included. Patients started 869 different courses of treatment, with a total follow-up of 2,263 person-years. The IR of global discontinuation was 204 (95% CI 186-224). Fifty-two per cent of the treatments stopped were related to adverse events, 14% to lack of efficacy; and 34% to other reasons (refusal to take medication, ocular comorbidity, remission, or pregnancy). Adverse events discontinuations were related to non-ophthalmologic reasons in 54.5% (gastrointestinal, neuro-psychiatric, skin problems), and to ophthalmologic adverse events in 45.5%. Nine patients suffered definite presence of antimalarial retinopathy (IR: 3.97 [IC 95%: 2.06-7.62]) and one of them irreversible loss of vision (IR: 0.44 [IC 95%: 0.06-3.12]). Women, increasing age, and chloroquine vs. hydroxychloroquine use, increased the risk of discontinuation due to ophthalmologic adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that antimalarials have a good balance between benefit and risk. However, we noted a number of discontinuations due to both inefficacy and adverse events. The potential for an unusual but serious ophthalmologic toxicity emphasises the importance of close ophthalmologic monitoring.

Treatment of refractory posterior uveitis with infliximab: a 7-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe, in a 7-year follow-up study, the use of infliximab in patients with refractory posterior uveitis and scleritis. METHODS: A 7-year follow-up case series study was performed. Patients with posterior uveitis and scleritis refractory to conventional therapies (steroids and at least one immunosuppressive agent) were included. Three infliximab intravenous doses of 5 mg/kg were administered at weeks 0, 2, and 6. Further infusions were allowed in patients undergoing a relapse of the uveitis after initial remission. All patients were followed up for at least 8 months. We defined uveitis improvement as an increase in the best-corrected visual acuity or an objective and significant improvement in retinal exudates and/or haemorrhages, cystoid macular oedema (CME), and vitreous haze. Infliximab-related adverse events, final prednisone doses, and the number of immunosuppressive agents used were recorded. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients (17 eyes were affected at baseline) were included, 63% were women, the mean age was 43+/-14 years, and the median follow-up was 80 months (p25-p75: 50-80). After infliximab treatment, six eyes maintained their basal visual acuity, nine eyes showed improvement, and two worsened (in the two patients diagnosed with choroiditis). Vitreous haze, active retinal vasculitis, and CME, but not chorioretinal lesions, improved in all patients. All patients tapered their daily steroid dose and the number of immunosuppressive agents. No infliximab-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab could be an effective and safe treatment in patients with posterior uveitis and scleritis refractory to conventional therapy.

Differences between rheumatology attending physicians and training residents in the management of rheumatoid arthritis in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the variability in the characteristics and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients between rheumatology attending physicians and training residents in Spain. METHODS: A retrospective medical record (MR) review was performed in a probabilistic sample of 1379 RA patients from 46 centres distributed in 16 of the 19 autonomous communities (AC) of Spain. RA patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, healthcare resources use, and their single responsible physician's (defined as an identifiable single physician who attended the patient in more than 75% of visits) characteristics were recorded following a standardized protocol. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess differences in the characteristics and management of RA patients between attending physicians and training residents. RESULTS: A total of 1205 RA patients had a single responsible physician and were analysed (nearly 75% women with rheumatoid factor positive and more than 25% with persistent active disease), 49 of whom were followed by training residents and 1156 by attending physicians. In the multivariate analyses, irrespective of patient and disease characteristics, training residents' patients reported more hospital admissions, laboratory tests, and imaging techniques compared to attending physicians. Training residents also less frequently used combined therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). CONCLUSION: Training residents and attending physicians differ in RA patients' care. More efforts in training programmes are necessary to guarantee proper RA management and to improve the profile of the future rheumatologists.

Differential proteome of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from osteoarthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells whose primary reservoir is bone marrow (BM). Following situations of extensive tissue damage, MSCs are mobilized and migrate to the site of injury. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that involves extensive cartilage and bone damage. To gain insight into the pathogenesis of OA, we have analyzed the differential BM-MSCs proteome of OA patients. METHODS: MSCs protein extracts were prepared from BM aspirates from six patients with OA and from six hip fracture subjects without OA, and analyzed by Two-dimensional gels, using the differential in-gel electrophoresis approach. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. In addition, the chemotactic responses of OA and control MSCs were assessed. RESULTS: The majority of proteins that changed at least 1.5-fold (P<0.05) belonged to the following three categories: metabolic enzymes (14 proteins, 36%), cytoskeleton/motility (12 proteins, 32%), and transporters (three proteins, 8%). In OA MSCs, a high percentage of metabolic enzymes (n=8, 57%) were up-regulated and most of the proteins related to cytoskeleton/motility (n=9, 75%) were down-regulated. There was a significant increase in the migration response of OA MSCs to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (chemotaxis index CI: 5.13+/-1.19 vs 3.35+/-0.42, P=0.043). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we have described the differential proteome of BM-MSCs from OA patients together with an increased chemotactic response of these cells in the context of OA. These results could indicate an activation of OA BM-MSCs in response to chemotactic signals sent by the altered subchondral bone in an attempt to heal damaged tissue.

Early lymphocyte activation in the synovial microenvironment in patients with osteoarthritis: comparison with rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is largely considered to be a non-inflammatory disease, although there is compelling evidence that subclinical inflammation is a common event, even in the absence of acute inflammatory flares. In this study we analyze, by means of CD5 and CD69 expression, the infiltration and early activation of CD5+cells, mostly lymphocytes, in both synovial membrane and synovial fluid from advanced OA patients and compare them with samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls. The number of infiltrating CD5+ cells in both synovial membrane and synovial fluid from patients with advanced OA was significantly reduced as compared with rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, synovial membrane and synovial fluid CD5+ cells on OA exhibited a phenotype with evidence of recent activation comparable to that observed in RA.

Observed and expected frequency of comorbid chronic diseases in rheumatic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and compare the observed and expected prevalence of the co-existence of rheumatic diseases (RD) with other chronic conditions. METHODS: The self-reported diagnosis of chronic conditions was obtained from the 2192 participants in a national health survey (Spain, 1999-2000) We compared the estimated prevalence of the co-existence of a RD with other chronic conditions, to the expected prevalence using two-sample test of proportion. RESULTS: The observed (O) prevalence was significantly higher than expected (E) in the following combination of self-reported diseases: RD+arterial hypertension (O/E ratio = 1.88), RD+diabetes mellitus (O/E ratio = 2.07), RD+hypercholesterolemia (O/E ratio = 1.87), RD+cardiological (O/E ratio = 1.83), and RD+digestive diseases (O/E ratio = 2.07). The prevalence of selected co-existent pairs of diseases is more frequent with increasing age and differs between women and men. CONCLUSIONS: The excess in prevalence of some combinations of diseases may serve as a reminder to the rheumatologists that many of their patients will have co-existent disease of which they need to be aware to properly plan their management. It may also be a sign of common risk factors between diseases or of adverse events.

Human parvovirus B19, varicella zoster virus, and human herpesvirus-6 in mesenchymal stem cells of patients with osteoarthritis: analysis with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is a possible viral transmission using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in autologous or allogeneic transplantation in the context of osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The presence of parvovirus B19 (B19), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) was studied in MSCs from bone marrow of patients with OA and healthy controls. METHODS: MSCs were prepared from bone marrow aspirates obtained from 18 patients undergoing joint replacement as a result of OA and from 10 healthy controls. DNA was extracted from primary MSCs' culture established from these cells and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyse the prevalence and viral load of B19, VZV and HHV-6. RESULTS: The prevalence of total viral DNA among patients with OA was 16.7% (3/18), with a mean viral load of 29.7 copies/microg of DNA. One out of 18 was positive for B19 (viral load, 61.2 copies/microg of DNA), two for VZV (mean viral load, 14.4 copies/microg of DNA), and none for HHV-6. The prevalence of total viral DNA in the control group was 20% (2/10), with a mean viral load of 13.4 copies/microg of DNA. Both positive results were of B19 parvoviruses. There were no statistically significant differences among patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: This first approach to the viral prevalence in MSCs of bone marrow in OA patients and healthy controls seems to show a very low risk of viral transmission or reactivation in a possible MSCs' transplantation.

Potential relationship between herpes viruses and rheumatoid arthritis: analysis with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the human herpes viruses, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), are detectable in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: 133 PBMC samples (61 RA, 72 healthy donors) and 136 serum samples (59 RA, 77 healthy donors) were analysed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction for DNA prevalence and viral load of HHV-6, EBV, and CMV. RESULTS: For PBMC samples significant differences were found for EBV in DNA prevalence (56% in RA v 33% in controls, p = 0.009) and viral load (copies/microg DNA 0-592.3 for RA v 0-40.4 for controls, p = 0.001). For serum samples a significant difference was found for HHV-6 DNA prevalence (10% in RA v 0% in controls, p = 0.006) and viral load (copies/microg DNA 0-529.1 for RA v 0 for controls, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Herpes viruses may have a role in RA, although alternative explanations are possible: (a) defects in cellular immunity in patients with RA may result in a relatively high viral load; (b) patients with RA may be more prone to infection/reactivation. The usefulness of monitoring the DNA viral load in patients with RA is questioned by these data.

Human parvovirus B19, varicella zoster virus, and human herpes virus 6 in temporal artery biopsy specimens of patients with giant cell arteritis: analysis with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of parvovirus B19 (B19), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) in the aetiopathology of giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS: Temporal artery biopsy specimens from 57 patients with GCA and 56 controls were investigated. DNA was obtained by biopsy, and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction assay performed to establish the prevalence and viral load of B19, VZV, and HHV-6. Amplification of the human beta-globin gene was used as internal positive control. RESULTS: (a) B19 was detected in 31/57 (54%) patients (median viral load 45.2 (25th-75th centiles 0-180.2) copies/microg DNA) v 21/56 (38%) controls (median viral load 0 (0-66.7) copies/microg of DNA; p = 0.07 for DNA prevalence, p = 0.007 for viral load. Among 31 B19 positive samples, 21 (68%) patients with biopsy proven GCA had >10(2) B19 copies/microg of DNA v 5/21 (24%) controls; p = 0.001. (b) No significant difference was found for VZV (p = 0.94 for DNA prevalence; p = 0.76 for viral load) and HHV-6 (p = 0.89 for DNA prevalence; p = 0.64 for viral load) in the GCA group compared with controls. CONCLUSION: B19 may have a role in the aetiopathology of GCA, particularly in those patients with high viral load; no evidence was found for VZV and HHV-6.

[Incidence and characteristics of tuberculosis in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases]. / Incidencia y características de la tuberculosis en pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas autoinmunes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and characteristics of the infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with autoimmune diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Searching in the database of the department at our institution, all new cases of tuberculosis from 1991 to 2000 were identified in patients with autoimmune diseases; the total follow-up time was calculated as the difference between first and last visits. Time with immunosuppressive drug therapy was obtained for patients with rheumatoid arthritis from a database oriented to the longitudinal follow-up of these patients. The incidence density was calculated as the quotient between the absolute frequency of cases and the sum of individual periods at risk for each subgroup. RESULTS: Fifteen cases of tuberculosis were identified from 3,634 risk patients followed for an accumulated period of 9,795 years (overall incidence 153 per 100,000 patients-year). Fourteen patients were receiving disease-modifying drugs and eleven were receiving corticosteroids at diagnosis. The location of tuberculosis infection was the lung for 33.3% of cases. The incidence by drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was 143 per 100,000 patients-year with methotrexate, 2,703 per 100,000 patients-year with azathioprin, 7,692 per 1,000 patients-year with cyclophosphamide, and 4,878 per 100,000 patients-year for anti-TNFalpha. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the general population, the incidence density of tuberculosis is increasing in our population, with a higher frequency of extrapulmonary involvement. The incidence density is variable among patients with rheumatoid arthritis depending upon the used drugs.

Incidencia y características de la tuberculosis en pacientes con enfermedades reumáticas autoinmunes / Incidence and characteristics of tuberculosis in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Objetivo. Describir la incidencia y las características de la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes.Pacientes y métodos. Se identificaron los casos nuevos de tuberculosis desde 1991 a 2000 en pacientes con enfermedad autoinmune a partir de la base de datos del servicio; se calculó el tiempo total de seguimiento como la diferencia entre la primera y la última visita. El tiempo de tratamiento con fármacos inmunosupresores se obtuvo en pacientes con artritis reumatoide de una base de datos orientada al seguimiento longitudinal de estos pacientes. Se calculó la densidad de incidencia como el cociente entre la frecuencia absoluta de casos y la suma de los períodos individuales de riesgo en cada subgrupo. Resultados. Se identificaron 15 casos de tuberculosis en 3.634 pacientes en riesgo seguidos durante un período acumulado de 9.795 años (incidencia global: 153 por 100.000 pacientes-año).Catorce pacientes estaban recibiendo fármacos modificadores de la enfermedad y once corticosteroides en el momento del diagnóstico. La localización de la infección tuberculosa fue pulmonar en el 33,3 por ciento de los casos. La incidencia por fármacos en pacientes con artritis reumatoide fue de 143 por 100.000 pacientes-año con metotrexato, 2.703 por 100.000 pacientes-año con azatioprina, 7.692 por 1.000 pacientes-año con ciclofosfamida y 4.878 por 100.000 pacientes-año con anti-TNF . Conclusiones. La densidad de incidencia de tuberculosis está aumentada en nuestra población comparado con la de la población general, existiendo una mayor frecuencia de afectación extrapulmonar. La densidad de incidencia es variable en pacientes con artritis reumatoide en función de los fármacos utilizados (AU)

B cell activation in rheumatoid arthritis patients under infliximab treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether anti-TNF alpha (infliximab) treatment affects B cell activation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) METHODS: B cell activation was analyzed in fifteen anti-TNF-treated RA patients. CD23 expression was used as a B cell activation marker and was studied before and after three months of infliximab treatment. PBMC were stimulated with anti-CD3 mAb during 18 h and were separated by rosseting into E+ and E-cells. B cells were assessed in E-population by double staining with CD19 and CD23. ELISA assays were used to assess both soluble TNF alpha and circulant immune complexes (CIC) containing TNF alpha. We also used B cells from tonsils to establish the relationship between B cell activation and TNF alpha CIC. RESULTS: The proportion of B cells expressing CD23 was higher before infliximab exposure than after treatment (48.3 +/- 16.7 versus 29.5 +/- 12.5, p = 0.007). T-B cell interactions were assessed by means of blocking antibodies to CD154, CD40, CD69, and CD18; these interactions were not specially affected by infliximab treatment. We could demonstrate CIC containing TNF alpha after infliximab treatment, these CIC, similarly to others IgG-containing immune complexes, were capable to downregulate CD23 on B cells. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab treatment in RA downregulates CD23 expression on T-cell activated B cells. This downregulation is connected with the presence of CIC containing TNF alpha. Presumably, the Fc gamma RIIb1 endows IgG-containing immune complexes, as TNF alpha-anti-TNF alpha, with the capacity to regulate B cells and inflammatory cells.

El estudio sobre el manejo de la artritis reumatoide en España (emAR) (II). Características de los pacientes / Study on the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Spain (emAR) (II). Patients' characteristics

Fundamento: El estudio sobre el manejo de la artritis reumatoide (AR) en España ha supuesto una oportunidad para conocer si las características de los pacientes difieren de una comunidad autónoma a otra dentro del ámbito español. Material y método: Revisión de 1.379 historias clínicas seleccionadas de forma aleatoria entre 9.299 individuos diagnosticados de AR y atendidos en 48 servicios de atención especializada de 16 comunidades autónomas. Se analizaron las características sociodemográficas, de la enfermedad y diferentes variables administrativas. Resultados: La mediana de edad fue de 63 años (53,1-71), el 73 por ciento eran mujeres y el tiempo de evolución 105 meses (57-172), sin diferencias entre comunidades autónomas. El 75 por ciento era factor reumatoide positivo y el 37,4 por ciento tenía alguna manifestación extraarticular. El 51 por ciento había tenido una AR activa a lo largo de 2 años de seguimiento, la mayoría se encontraba en una clase funcional II del ACR y el 25,9 por ciento necesitó de alguna cirugía. El estudio sobre el manejo de la artritis reumatoide en España (emAR) (II). Características de los pacientes articular a lo largo de su evolución. Existió una gran variabilidad en la expresión clínica de la enfermedad de una comunidad autónoma a otra. La mayoría de los pacientes fueron derivados por servicios de atención primaria. Los pacientes derivados desde servicios de urgencia tuvieron un acceso temprano a atención especializada. Conclusiones: Las características clínicas y demográficas de los pacientes con AR en España no difieren globalmente de los estudios ya publicados, pero existe una marcada variabilidad entre comunidades autónomas. (AU)

Mechanisms of CD23 hyperexpression on B cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the mechanisms involved in the characteristic hyperexpression of CD23 on peripheral blood B cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from patients with active disease and activated during 18 h with an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in the presence or absence of blocking antibodies to CD154 or CD40. PBMC were further purified by rosetting and CD23 expression was assessed on B cells by flow cytometry after double staining (CD19/CD23). Lymphocytes were also isolated from synovial fluid (SF). CD154 expression was analyzed on PB or SF CD4+ T cells after double staining (CD4/CD154) by flow cytometry at basal conditions and after different stimuli [anti-CD3 or phorbol myristic acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin]. Co-culture experiments between SF and PB cells were performed to analyze the involvement of the CD40-CD154 interaction on CD23 expression. CD154 and CD23 expression was also analyzed on synovial membrane by immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: A high proportion of activated CD23 B cells was detected in patients with RA. Blocking experiments with both anti-CD40 and anti-CD154 Mab showed a significant reduction in the proportion of PB B cells expressing CD23. Following activation with anti-CD3 Mab or PMA plus ionomycin, CD154 expression was mainly induced on PB CD4+ T cells. In co-culture experiments, SF T cells were more efficient than PB T cells in inducing CD40 dependent CD23 expression on PB B cells. In addition, CD4+ T cells from synovial membrane clearly expressed CD154. CONCLUSION: Our results establish a link between CD154-CD40 pathway and CD23 expression on PB B cells from patients with RA. T cells from the synovial microenvironment were active participants in this CD23 expression, presumably in the context of cell recirculation.

Combined treatment of giant-cell arteritis with methotrexate and prednisone. a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of therapy for giant-cell arteritis, but relapse during dose tapering and corticosteroid-related adverse events often complicate management of this condition. Although several approaches, including combined therapy with cytotoxic agents, have been suggested to overcome these problems, no study has clearly shown benefits of alternate treatments. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the safety and efficacy of combined therapy with corticosteroids and methotrexate in giant-cell arteritis. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: University-based clinic. PATIENTS: 42 patients with new-onset giant-cell arteritis according to biopsy. INTERVENTION: High initial doses of corticosteroid were given; the dose was then tapered quickly until therapy was completely withdrawn. Methotrexate or placebo was given weekly from the start of corticosteroid therapy for 24 months. MEASUREMENTS: Number of relapses, cumulative dose of corticosteroid, and number of adverse events were assessed on completion of follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with combined prednisone and placebo therapy, treatment with prednisone and methotrexate reduced the proportion of patients who experienced at least one relapse (45% vs. 84.2%; P = 0.02) and the proportion of patients who experienced multiple relapses (P = 0.004). The mean cumulative dose of prednisone was 4187 +/- 1529 mg in the methotrexate group and 5489.5 +/- 1396 mg in the placebo group (mean difference, 1302 mg [95% CI, 350 to 2253 mg]; P = 0.009). Overall, the rate and severity of adverse events were similar between groups. Treatment was discontinued in 3 patients in the methotrexate group who experienced definite drug-related adverse events. In sensitivity analysis that included patients lost to follow-up, differences between groups in number of relapses and cumulative dose of prednisone were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with methotrexate plus corticosteroid is a safe alternative to corticosteroid therapy alone in patients with giant-cell arteritis and is more effective in controlling disease.