B. Kirby et al., The use of folic acid supplementation in psoriasis patients receiving methotrexate: a survey in the United Kingdom, CLIN EXP D, 25(4), 2000, pp. 265-268
There is little literature on the use of folic acid supplementation in psor
iasis patients being treated with methotrexate. Under the auspices of the B
ritish Association of Dermatologists we surveyed, using a questionnaire, th
e use of folic acid supplementation with methotrexate therapy for psoriasis
by dermatologists in the UK. Six-hundred and fifteen questionnaires were s
ent and 153 responses were received (25%), One-hundred and fourteen of the
responders (75%) used folic acid supplementation with methotrexate in psori
asis patients, Thirty (26%) of these used folic acid supplementation in all
patients taking methotrexate and 84 (74%) used folic acid only under certa
in circumstances, the most common of which was an elevated erythrocyte mean
corpuscular volume, Forty-six per cent of respondents believed that folic
acid supplementation reduced nausea and 60% believed that folic acid did no
t interfere with the efficacy of methotrexate. A wide variety of dosing reg
imens were used for folic acid supplementation. In the absence of guideline
s and controlled trials, there is great variation in the indication for use
, dosing regimens used and beliefs regarding methotrexate supplementation f
or psoriasis, Randomized controlled trials are necessary to address these q
uestions.