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Background <p>Methotrexate (MTX) is the cornerstone of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. However, patients using MTX often experience drug-related problems (DRPs), negatively affecting adherence and persistence.</p> Aim <p>To identify the number and type of DRPs experienced by RA patients during the first 3&#xa0;months of MTX treatment.</p> Method <p>A longitudinal observational study was conducted in the Sint Maartenskliniek, The Netherlands, between March and August 2023. Adult RA patients were interviewed at 2, 6 and 12&#xa0;weeks after MTX initiation using the United Kingdom’s New Medicines Service interview guide. DRPs were categorized using a classification system for patient-reported DRPs, and analyzed descriptively.</p> Results <p>All fifty participants (median age 62&#xa0;years (IQR 51–68), 66% female) reported a DRP, with a median of 6 (IQR 3–8) DRPs per patient and a total of 301 DRPs. The top 5 most frequently reported DRPs were concerns about (long-term) side-effects, nausea, fatigue, remembering intake and information needs regarding dose instructions. Of the DRPs reported at weeks 2 and 6, 33% were unresolved at week 12.</p> Conclusion <p>Patients with RA experience numerous DRPs in the first 3&#xa0;months of MTX use. Resolving DRPs soon after occurrence may reduce the burden of drug treatment and improve adherence and/or persistence.</p>

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Drug-related problems experienced by rheumatoid arthritis patients during the first three months of methotrexate use: a longitudinal observational study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月3日

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  • M. A. M. Oude Lansink,
  • S. A. S. Pongers,
  • C. L. Bekker,
  • D. Eikelboom,
  • D. F. Ten Cate,
  • B. J. F. van den Bemt,
  • V. J. B. Huiskes

摘要

Background

Methotrexate (MTX) is the cornerstone of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. However, patients using MTX often experience drug-related problems (DRPs), negatively affecting adherence and persistence.

Aim

To identify the number and type of DRPs experienced by RA patients during the first 3 months of MTX treatment.

Method

A longitudinal observational study was conducted in the Sint Maartenskliniek, The Netherlands, between March and August 2023. Adult RA patients were interviewed at 2, 6 and 12 weeks after MTX initiation using the United Kingdom’s New Medicines Service interview guide. DRPs were categorized using a classification system for patient-reported DRPs, and analyzed descriptively.

Results

All fifty participants (median age 62 years (IQR 51–68), 66% female) reported a DRP, with a median of 6 (IQR 3–8) DRPs per patient and a total of 301 DRPs. The top 5 most frequently reported DRPs were concerns about (long-term) side-effects, nausea, fatigue, remembering intake and information needs regarding dose instructions. Of the DRPs reported at weeks 2 and 6, 33% were unresolved at week 12.

Conclusion

Patients with RA experience numerous DRPs in the first 3 months of MTX use. Resolving DRPs soon after occurrence may reduce the burden of drug treatment and improve adherence and/or persistence.