Table 2 Antirheumatic agents and aminotransferase concentrations in 77 rheumatoid arthritis patients

Antirheumatic agents in 34 methotrexate naïve patients

   Non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents

14 (41)

   Prednisone users

4 (12)

   Prednisone dose (mg/l)*

1.2 [1.0–1.4]

   Disease modifying agents

Users

13 (38)

Leflunomide

6 (18)

Chloroquine

5 (15)

Sulphasalazine

3 (9)

Azathioprine

2 (6)

Antirheumatic agents in 43 patients before methotrexate use

   Non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents

32 (74)

   Prednisone users

17 (40)

   Prednisone dose (mg/l)*

2.4 [1.7–3.4]

   Disease modifying agents

Users

13 (30)

Sulphasalazine

10 (23)

Chloroquine

3 (7)

Antirheumatic agents in 43 patients using methotrexate

   Non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents

20 (48)

   Prednisone users

7 (16)

   Prednisone dose (mg/l)*

1.0 [1.1–1.5]

   Disease modifying agents

Methotrexate dose (mg/week)

19.6 [17.5–21.7]

Chloroquine

21 (49)

Minocyclin

12 (28)

Leflunomide

5 (12)

Sulphasalazine

4 (9)

Azathioprine

3 (7)

Aminotransferase levels in 34 methotrexate naïve patients

   Alanine aminotransferase (u/l)

27 [22–31]

   Aspartate aminotransferase (u/l)

23 [22–25]

Aminotransferase levels in 43 patients before methotrexate use

   Alanine aminotransferase (u/l)

19 [17–22]

   Aspartate aminotransferase (u/l)

20 [18–22]

Aminotransferase levels in 43 patients using methotrexate

   Alanine aminotransferase (u/l)

38 [33–42]

   Aspartate aminotransferase (u/l)

30 [27–34]

Increases in aminotransferase levels in 43 patients on methotrexate

   Alanine aminotransferase (u/l)

18 [14–23]^†

   Aspartate aminotransferase (u/l)

11 [7–14]^†

Change in weight in 43 patients since using methotrexate (kg)

-0.7 [-0.2–0.6]^‡

Duration of methotrexate therapy in 43 patients (years)

5.1 [4.1–6.1]