eCite Digital Repository

The SMILE Study - safety of methotrexate in combination with leflunomide in rheumatoid arthritis

Citation

Bird, P and Griffiths, H and Tymms, K and Nicholls, D and Roberts, L and Arnold, M and Burnet, S and de Jager, J and Scott, J and Zochling, J and Littlejohn, G, The SMILE Study - safety of methotrexate in combination with leflunomide in rheumatoid arthritis, Journal of Rheumatology, 40, (3) pp. 228-235. ISSN 0315-162X (2013) [Refereed Article]

Copyright Statement

Copyright 2013 The Journal of Rheumatology

DOI: doi:10.3899/jrheum.120922

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis with a combination of methotrexate (MTX) and leflunomide (LEF) in comparison to MTX monotherapy, in clinical practice. METHODS: The Safety of Methotrexate in Combination with Leflunomide in Rheumatoid Arthritis (SMILE) study was a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional, retrospective safety study. The study was conducted by the Optimising Patient Outcomes in Australian Rheumatology-Quality Use of Medicines Initiative (OPAL QUMI). Data were deidentified for patient, clinic, and clinician prior to collection from 13 participating rheumatology practices (25 rheumatologists). Comparative analysis of safety for the different treatments, primarily with regard to neutropenia and liver abnormalities, was performed. RESULTS: In total, 2975 patients were included in the study: 74% female, 26% male, mean age 62 years (SD 13.6). Distribution of therapy: MTX monotherapy 52.2%, LEF monotherapy 7.3%, MTX plus LEF 13.9%, and neither MTX nor LEF 26.6%. Comorbid liver disease was reported in 8.1% of patients. Liver function abnormalities were reported in 12% of the MTX monotherapy group, 16% of the LEF monotherapy group, 19% of the MTX-LEF combination group, and 14% of the group not taking either drug. Neutropenia was reported in 2.3% of the MTX monotherapy group, 5.5% of the LEF monotherapy group, 3.9% of the MTX-LEF combination group, and 4.2% of the group not taking either drug. CONCLUSION: The combination of MTX and LEF was well tolerated, with adverse events comparable to those of monotherapy and the other nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment group.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:Rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate, leflunomide, drug toxicity
Research Division:Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:Clinical sciences
Research Field:Rheumatology and arthritis
Objective Division:Health
Objective Group:Clinical health
Objective Field:Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:Zochling, J (Dr Jane Zochling)
ID Code:88304
Year Published:2013
Web of Science® Times Cited:36
Deposited By:Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:2014-01-28
Last Modified:2017-11-02
Downloads:1 View Download Statistics

Repository Staff Only: item control page