Twelve years’ experience with methotrexate for GINA treatment step 5 asthma patients

Abstract

In our series, a substantial, safe decrease in oral corticosteroid requirements was observed, probably due, to some extent, to MTX therapy. Oral corticosteroids were withdrawn completely in 59% of patients. Liver function was impaired in some patients; however, it recovered after MTX withdrawal and MTX could be safely reintroduced. The association of oral corticosteroids and MTX did not increase the number of side-effects and immunity was not affected. We were unable to identify a factor that could predict which patients would benefit most from MTX treatment. Some limitations of the study include the lack of control of asthma exacerbations and the lack of booster courses of corticosteroids.