The role of methotrexate as combination therapy with etanercept in rheumatoid arthritis: Retrospective analysis of a local registry

Objective In a real-life setting, to analyse retrospectively the effects of different methotrexate regimens on etanercept efficacy during the first year of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Demographic characteristics, clinical parameters and treatment data from patients with RA receiving the first-line biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, etanercept, as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate were analysed at baseline and after 6 and 12months. The study population was stratified into three groups according to the level of concomitant methotrexate therapy: no methotrexate, low-dose methotrexate (10mg/week) or high-dose methotrexate (>10mg/week). Results Clinical response at 6 and 12months and clinical outcome at 12months were significantly better in patients concomitantly treated with high-dose methotrexate. Furthermore, this regimen was associated with the lowest discontinuation rate, suggesting a favourable safety profile. Conclusion These data confirm, in a real-life setting, the importance of methotrexate as a combination therapy with etanercept and suggest that the minimal effective dose of methotrexate is >10mg/week.