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Slouma M, Lahmar W, Mohamed G, Dhrif O, Dhahri R, Bellali H, Gharsallah I, Ebdelli N. Associated factors with liver fibrosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate. Clin Rheumatol 2024; 43:929-938. [PMID: 38159207 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06847-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are conflicting findings on the link between liver fibrosis and cumulative methotrexate dosages. We aimed to determine the frequency of liver fibrosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate and to identify its associated factors. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study over 9 months (April-December 2021), including rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Liver stiffness was assessed by FibroScan. Fibrosis and significant liver fibrosis were defined as liver stiffness higher than 6 and 7.2 kPa, respectively. Liver tests, albuminemia, lipid profile, and blood glycemia were measured. Metabolic syndrome was also evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. RESULTS We included 21 men and 47 women. The mean age was 51.60 ± 1.82 years. The mean disease duration was 8.29 ± 6.48 years. The mean weekly intake of methotrexate was 13.76 ± 3.91 mg. The mean methotrexate duration was 4.67 ± 4.24 years. The mean cumulative dose was 3508.87 ± 3390.48 mg. Hypoalbuminemia and metabolic syndrome were found in 34% and 25% of cases. We noted increased alkaline phosphatase levels in four cases. The mean liver stiffness was 4.50 ± 1.53 kPa. Nine patients had liver fibrosis, and four had significant fibrosis. Associated factors with liver fibrosis were as follows: age ≥ 60 years (OR:22.703; 95%CI [1.238-416.487]; p = 0.035), cumulated dose of methotrexate ≥ 3 g (OR: 76.501; 95%CI [2.383-2456.070]; p = 0.014), metabolic syndrome (OR: 42.743; 95%CI [1.728-1057.273]; p = 0.022), elevated alkaline phosphatase levels (OR: 28.252; 95%CI [1.306-611.007]; p = 0.033), and hypoalbuminemia (OR: 59.302; 95%CI [2.361-1489.718]; p = 0.013). CONCLUSION Cumulating more than 3 g of methotrexate was associated with liver fibrosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Having a metabolic syndrome, higher age, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels were also likely to be independently associated with liver fibrosis. Key points • Rheumatoid arthritis patients require monitoring hepatic fibrosis when the cumulated dose of methotrexate is above 3 g. • Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for liver fibrosis, suggesting that its management is necessary to prevent this complication. • Hypoalbuminemia and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels (twice the upper limit) in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate were associated with liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maroua Slouma
- Department of Rheumatology, Military Hospital, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia.
- Department of Rheumatology, Military Hospital, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia.
- University of Tunis El Manar, 1068, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Wided Lahmar
- Department of Rheumatology, Military Hospital, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, 1068, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ghanem Mohamed
- University of Tunis El Manar, 1068, Tunis, Tunisia
- Department of Gastrology, Military Hospital, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Omar Dhrif
- University of Tunis El Manar, 1068, Tunis, Tunisia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Military Hospital of Bizerta, 7000, Bizerta, Tunisia
| | - Rim Dhahri
- Department of Rheumatology, Military Hospital, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, 1068, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hedia Bellali
- University of Tunis El Manar, 1068, Tunis, Tunisia
- Department of Epidemiology, Hbib Thameur Hospital, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imen Gharsallah
- Department of Rheumatology, Military Hospital, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, 1068, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nabil Ebdelli
- University of Tunis El Manar, 1068, Tunis, Tunisia
- Department of Gastrology, Military Hospital, 1008, Tunis, Tunisia
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Khan A, Anwar M, Azam A, Nisar S, Rehman AU. Hypoplastic Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Symptom of Methotrexate Toxicity in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cureus 2023; 15:e40580. [PMID: 37469807 PMCID: PMC10352143 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Methotrexate is the conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) which is considered the drug of choice in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, but its prolonged use without monitoring leads to a number of complications involving different body systems. The toxic effects of long-term methotrexate (MTX) therapy mainly involve the liver, skin, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and bone marrow. In the bone marrow, it mainly causes suppression of normal functionality, leading to the formation of abnormal blast cells and dysplasia. In this case report, we present a male patient with symptoms of hoarseness, fatigue and abnormal bleeding all of which can be affiliated with methotrexate-induced hypoplastic myelodysplasia. As pancytopenia can be a lethal complication of MTX toxicity, it is important to monitor the therapy and dosage of methotrexate so that in case of any unforeseen development of a complication vital steps may be taken to diagnose and treat it in time. Regarding our patient, after thorough history taking and undergoing extensive hematological workup, the diagnosis of MTX-induced hypoplastic myelodysplasia was made. His symptoms improved on withholding the drug methotrexate from his active regimen and adding folinic acid and colony-stimulating factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Khan
- Internal Medicine, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, PAK
| | - Maryem Anwar
- Family Medicine, NHS (National Health Service), Slough, GBR
| | - Adila Azam
- Paediatrics, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS (National Health Service) Trust, Leeds, GBR
| | - Sarah Nisar
- Internal Medicine, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, PAK
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Kougkas N, Dara A, Pagkopoulou E, Dimitriadou A, Papadimitriou E, Avdelidou E, Garyfallos A, Dimitroulas T. Methotrexate induced neurotoxicity in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis on rituximab therapy: a case-based review. Rheumatol Int 2022; 42:1849-1854. [PMID: 35849191 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-022-05166-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease treated with conventional and biologic disease-modifying drugs. Methotrexate is the anchor drug for the treatment of RA and is also frequently used for various autoimmune diseases. Adverse events are common and generally easy to manage, involving mainly the gastrointestinal tract and the liver function. However, neurotoxicity is very uncommon in adults with rheumatic diseases. B cell depletion with rituximab is another therapy approach particularly in patients with refractory RA. Whistle leukoencephalopathy - namely progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy-is an infrequent but well-described side effect of rituximab. In contrast, central nervous system toxicity due to methotrexate is extremely rare especially in RA individuals under oral or subcutaneous low dose on weekly basis. We present a challenging case of a RA patient on treatment with methotrexate and rituximab presenting with leukoencephalopathy. The patient was diagnosed with methotrexate-induced leukoencephalopathy which reversed after treatment discontinuation. We comment on the symptoms and diagnostic workout and we review the available literature on this issue based on recommendations for narrative reviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Kougkas
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Hippokration University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Athanasia Dara
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Hippokration University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Pagkopoulou
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Hippokration University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Evdokia Papadimitriou
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Hippokration University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eugenia Avdelidou
- Department of Neurology, Hippokration University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Garyfallos
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Hippokration University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodoros Dimitroulas
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Hippokration University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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