Journal Article

Efficacy of methotrexate in pediatric Crohn's disease: A French multicenter study

Belbouab, R., Uhlen, S., Narebski, K., Goulet, O., Schmitz, J., Cézard, J. P., Turck, D., Ruemmele, F. M.

2006

Overview

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.MethodsIn 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.ResultsCD 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.ConclusionsMTX 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.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press,Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc
• Subject: Azathioprine - adverse effects / Azathioprine - therapeutic use / Child / Crohn Disease - drug therapy / Crohn's disease / Female / Follow-Up Studies / Humans / Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects / Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use / Male / methotrexate / Methotrexate - adverse effects / Methotrexate - therapeutic use / pediatric / Pediatrics / Remission (Medicine) / Remission Induction / Retrospective Studies / Time Factors / Toxicity / Treatment Failure / Treatment Outcome