National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases
Research Highlights from the 2003 ACR Meeting
Methotrexate laboratory testing and risk of Serious Illness:
Good news about methotrexate. The NDB presented data on the short-term and long-term safety of methotrexate. Significant laboratory abnormalities were rare. The number of and frequency of tests recommended by the American College of Rheumatology to doctors may be more that needed according to NDB research. Reducing the amount of testing based on scientific research would help save your time and reduce your costs. The other good news about methotrexate is that the rate of cirrhosis (always a worry) was very low. In fact, it was lower in persons taking methotrexate than in those not taking it.
Low rates of Visual Loss in Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) Treated Patients
Some of you may take the drug Plaquenil, known also by its generic name, Hydroxychloroquine. One of the potential worries about this drug is its possible harmful effect on the eye. We evaluated doctors who prescribed Hydroxychloroquine and people with RA who took the medication. We found that half of the people who took Hydroxychloroquine had eye examinations every 6 months and the other half had examinations every 12 months. We also found that the rate of visual loss directly related to hydroxychloroquine treatment was very, very, very low. Based on this research, the NDB recommended to the American College of Rheumatology that the current recommendations for frequent examinations be changed for most people.