DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2022.v10i11.024

Pages: 1947-1950

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, disabling joint condition characterized by synovium growth and progressive cartilage and bone loss. Methotrexate (MTX) has been used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) for over three decades. Because it improves symptoms, signs, disease activity, and functions, it is one of the most effective and widely used Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDS). Objective: In this study our main goal is to evaluate the effect of low dose Methotrexate in Rheumatoid arthritis. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out at tertiary medical hospital from June 2021 to June 2022. Where a total of 100 patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis were attended OPD were included as a sample size. Patients were prescribed low dose methotrexate 5-10mg/ week. Folate supplementation in the form of folic acid was also given to all patients. Results: During the study, majority were belonging to >60 years age group, 65% and most of them were male. 80% had high APR before treatment and 35% had low APR after treatment with MTX. 70% had swollen joints and 80% had tender joints before treatment. After treatment it reduced to 11% swollen joints and 45% tender joints. Moreover, At 0 week, 55% patients were in high disease activity (DAS 28>5.1), 43% patients were in moderate disease activity (DAS 28 between 3.2-5.1) and 2% patients were in low disease activity (DAS 28 <3.2). AT 4th week, 20% were in high disease activity, 65% were in moderate disease activity and 15% were in low disease activity. At 8th week, 70% were in moderate disease activity and 30% were in low disease activity. At 12th weeks, 60% were in moderate disease activity and 40% were in low disease activity. Conclusion: From our study, we found that low-dose MTX improves symptoms, signs, disease activity, and functions, and that early management with DMARDs in annual RA provides the least possibility for disease remission.