Вопросы современной педиатрии (Sep 2015)

Can the Methotrexate Therapy Prevent the Development of Uveitis in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Results of a Retrospective Study

  • M. M. Kostik,
  • E. V. Gaydar,
  • M. F. Dubko,
  • V. V. Masalova,
  • L. S. Snegireva,
  • I. A. Chikova,
  • E. A. Isupova,
  • T. N. Nikitina,
  • E. D. Serogodskaya,
  • O. V. Kalashnikova,
  • A. Ravelli,
  • V. G. Chasnyk

DOI
https://doi.org/10.15690/vsp.v14.i4.1386
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 4
pp. 477 – 482

Abstract

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Background: Uveitis is one of the most common extra-articular manifestations of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Currently, the possibility of reducing the risk of uveitis in children with JIA by using methotrexate has been studied.Objective: Our aim was to analyze the results of treatment of children with JIA by studying the relation between the use of methotrexate and the risk of uveitis.Methods: A retrospective uncontrolled study. The case histories of patients with JIA who were treated for at least 2 years after the onset of the disease were studied. The results of treatment of patients who received and who did not receive methotrexate were studied (standard therapy — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids). The established cases of uveitis were taken into account.Results: The study analyzed the results of observation of 281 children with JIA. In the methotrexate group, uveitis was detected in 22/191 (11.5%), and in the control group — in 42/90 (46.7%) of patients (OR 6.7; 95% CI 3.7–12.3). The time period between the onset of JIA and development of uveitis in two groups under study was the same and equal to 24 (12; 67) and 17 months (7; 35), respectively (p = 0.232). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the main predictors of uveitis were oligoarticular course of JIA (HR = 1.89), positive antinuclear antibody test (HR = 2.14), onset of JIA under the age of 5 (HR = 2.56), female gender (HR = 1.82),and the absence of methotrexate in the therapy (HR = 0.24).Conclusion: The treatment with methotrexate may reduce the risk of uveitis in patients with JIA. To confirm this hypothesis, randomized studies are needed.

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