Open AccessEfficacy of methotrexate in pediatric Crohn's disease: A French multicenter study
Author(s) -
Uhlen S.,
Belbouab R.,
Narebski K.,
Goulet O.,
Schmitz J.,
Cézard J.P.,
Turck D.,
Ruemmele F.M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
inflammatory bowel diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.932
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1536-4844
pISSN - 1078-0998
DOI - 10.1097/01.mib.0000235103.47280.bb
Subject(s) - discontinuation , medicine , methotrexate , azathioprine , nausea , gastroenterology , adverse effect , toxicity , mercaptopurine , antimetabolite , vomiting , crohn's disease , pediatrics , surgery , disease
Background: Immunosuppressors play a major role in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease (CD). In patients who do not tolerate or escape therapy with azathioprine (AZA)/6‐mercaptopurine, there is a marked need for other immunosuppressive drugs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of methotrexate (MTX) in children with active CD. Methods: In a retrospective multicenter ( n = 3) study, the efficacy of MTX to induce complete remission or a clinical improvement was analyzed in 61 children with active CD. Results: CD was diagnosed at a mean age of 11.1 ± 2.3 years, and MTX was introduced 3.1 ± 2.2 years after diagnosis. Indications to use MTX were a nonresponse to or relapse under AZA ( n = 42) or AZA intolerance/toxicity ( n = 19). MTX improved or induced complete remission in 49 patients (80%), of whom 18 (29.5%) relapsed after 13 ± 10 months of treatment. Under MTX medication, complete remission was observed in 39%, 49%, and 45% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Follow‐up over at least 24 months in 11 children confirmed a sustained remission on MTX monotherapy up to 40 months. Adverse reactions were observed in 14 patients (24%), requiring discontinuation of MTX in 6 children (10%) (liver enzyme elevation, n = 2; varicella‐zoster, n = 1; nausea, n = 3). MTX allowed corticosteroid discontinuation in 36 patients. Conclusions: MTX improved the clinical course in most pediatric CD patients who escaped or did not tolerate AZA. Short‐time toxicity of MTX resulted in drug discontinuation in <10%. These data point to a beneficial and safe use of MTX in the treatment of pediatric CD.