RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Use of methotrexate in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 197
OP 200
DO 10.1136/adc.88.3.197
VO 88
IS 3
A1 A V Ramanan
A1 P Whitworth
A1 E M Baildam
YR 2003
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/88/3/197.abstract
AB Methotrexate (MTX) has transformed the outlook for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Most of the evidence from uncontrolled clinical trials suggests that MTX is an effective agent for treating active JIA. Data from controlled clinical trials suggests that MTX has statistically significant effects on patient centred disability measures in JIA patients with active arthritis. Although we would like a much larger study directed evidence base for our use of the drug, the studies that have been done are sound and have been followed by a change in clinical expectations and advice that speak of qualitative evidence from clinical practice, confirming the scientifically acquired data. Randomised controlled multicentre trials using sufficient numbers of patients, including functional assessment and quality of life measures, are needed to confirm the long term efficacy and safety of MTX in JIA.