Does different administration method of methotrexate matter in early rheumatoid arthritis? An exploratory register-based study
Authors' conclusion
Starting with MTX, SC may be more favourable for patients, in terms of disease activity and pain, over the following two years.
Study context
- Participants
- 4,655 participants
- Exposure
- Subcutaneous (SC) methotrexate (MTX) vs peroral (PO) MTX as part of first treatment strategy in early RA
- MTX SCn = 1,076
- MTX POn = 3,579reference
- Outcome
- Course of disease activity and pain (locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS) trajectories); treatment failure defined as probability to avoid bDMARDs
- Follow-up
- Two years
Methodological detailsexploratory, register-based, Cox regression adjusted for age and sex
- Exploratory
- Register-based
- Cox regression adjusted for age and sex
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Probability to avoid bDMARDs
MTX SC
0.87
95% CI 0.85–0.89
MTX PO
0.91
95% CI 0.90–0.92
P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
MTX purchased (drug survival) · two years
Mean
| Outcome | MTX SC | MTX PO |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline DAS28 | 3.8 (SD 1.2) | 3.9 (SD 1.2) |
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Does different administration method of methotrexate matter in early rheumatoid arthritis? An exploratory register-based study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 31 March 2025. doi:10.
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