Limited benefits from methotrexate in adults with psoriatic arthritis

Low‐quality evidence suggested that low‐dose oral methotrexate might be more effective than placebo when taken for 6 months, in terms of disease response (number needed to benefit = 6), function, pain, and patient and physician global assessments of disease activity. The effect size for each of these outcomes was small. There were no clinically important differences with respect to disease response, disease activity, tender and swollen joint counts or skin disease. Methotrexate was generally well tolerated in this population. One study measured health‐related quality of life but did not report these results. The average age of people included in these studies varied from 26 to 52 years. The average duration of psoriatic arthritis ranged from 1 to 9 years. The dose of methotrexate consisted of 7.5mg to 25mg orally, but 15mg was given orally per week for most studies.