INFLUENCE OF METHOTREXATE ON THE FREQUENCY OF POSTOPERATIVE INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objective. To evaluate the influence of methotrexate (MTX) on the freq uency of postoperative complications in patients with rheumatoid arthr itis (RA). Methods. We conducted a randomized unblinded prospective st udy in 64 patients with RA treated with MTX and who underwent orthoped ic surgery. Two groups of patients were constituted: in Group A (32 pa tients), MTX was interrupted 7 days before the surgery; in Group B (32 patients), MTX was not discontinued. Results. Fifty surgical procedur es were performed in Group A and 39 procedures in Group B. No postoper ative infection was observed in any group. A prolonged wound healing w as noticed in 6 cases in Group A and in 4 cases in Group B (not signif icant). Conclusion. We suggest that the interruption of MTX is not req uired in patients with RA when an orthopedic surgical treatment is pla nned. However a large prospective study is needed to make a definitive conclusion.