A randomized controlled trial of methotrexate for patients with generalized myasthenia gravis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine the steroid-sparing effect of methotrexate (MTX) in patients with symptomatic generalized myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods

We performed a 12-month multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of MTX 20 mg orally every week vs placebo in 50 acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive patients with MG between April 2009 and August 2014. The primary outcome measure was the prednisone area under the dose-time curve (AUDTC) from months 4 to 12. Secondary outcome measures included 12-month changes of the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis Score, the Myasthenia Gravis Composite Score, Manual Muscle Testing, the Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life, and the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living.

Results

Fifty-eight patients were screened

SUBMITTER: Pasnoor M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4932232 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature