Methotrexate in dermatology and rheumatology.

摘要

The introduction of methotrexate into the treatment armamentarium for skin diseases will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary. In contrast, methotrexate is a relative newcomer to the field of rheumatology, and dermatologists have been somewhat surprised by the differences in methotrexate treatment modalities between psoriasis and inflammatory joint diseases. Psoriatic arthritis is a point of contact between the two specialties that has generated further interest in these differences.A striking difference is that the side effects of methotrexate differ between patients with skin diseases and those with inflammatory joint diseases. Other differences indicate that opinions about a medication are dependent not only on scientific fact, but also on cultural and emotional influences. A comparison of dermatologists and rheumatologists regarding the practices believed to ensure optimal use of methotrexate suggests several areas for reappraisal.