Should methotrexate be added to prednisone therapy for temporal arteritis?
Benjamin H. Chen Jover JA, Hernandez-Garcia C, Morado IC, Vargas E, Banares A, Fernandez-Gutierrez B. Combined treatment of giant-cell arteritis with methotrexate and prednisone. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2001;134(2):106-14. Background: Giant-cell (temporal) arteritis is a systemic vasculitis affecting elderly people that can lead to blindness. Current treatment involves at least 1 year of corticosteroid therapy, which is associated with many potential adverse effects. The role of corticosteroid-sparing agents such as methotrexate in the treatment of temporal arteritis has remained unclear. Question: Does combined therapy with prednisone and methotrexate in the management of temporal arteritis reduce the rate of relapses and side effects, compared with therapy with prednisone alone? Design: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at a university-based clinic in Spain. Patients with biopsy-proven temporal arteritis
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- Should methotrexate be added to prednisone therapy for temporal arteritis?
