OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose methotrexate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: 58 patients were separated into two groups in a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized 4 months study. Group 1 received a 7,5 mg weekly dose of methotrexate whilst group 2 received placebo. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lequèsne Algofunctional Index and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain were utilized as measurement of primary evaluation. The quantity of paracetamol used for analgesia served as a secondary evaluation. RESULTS: the patient’s average age was of 60.4 years in the group 2 and 61.8 years in group 1 (p = 0.43). In both groups, women predominated, comprising 93.1% in group 1 and 72.4% in group 2 (p = 0.08). There were no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding WOMAC (p = 0.94), Lequèsne (p = 0.87) and VAS (p = 0.89. Likewise, in the paracetamol consumption there was not statistically significant difference between both groups. However, there was tendency to increased consumption in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: methotrexate provided neither symptomatic relief nor did it reduce the functional limitation when compared to placebo in knee osteoarthritis. Methotrexate showed a tendency to decrease the consumption of paracetamol in knee osteoarthritis.
osteoarthritis; knee; inflammatory; methotrexate
