[Patient safety in the treatment of rheumatic diseases : Laboratory monitoring in methotrexate treatment].

ABSTRACT:

Background

Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly prescribed disease-modifying drug in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Regular laboratory testing is recommended to recognize side effects, such as hepatotoxicity and myelotoxicity as well as decreases in renal function that may cause toxic MTX accumulation. Additionally, folic acid is recommended as prophylaxis against specific side effects. In this study we investigated whether laboratory monitoring and prescription of folic acid took place according to published recommendations.

Material and methods

Claims data from the statutory health insurance from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 40,087 adults with a rheumatic diagnosis (ICD10 codes M05-M18), no malignant disease and no p

SUBMITTER: Sierocinski E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8189943 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature