1. Use of methotrexate in sarcoid-associated optic neuropathy
- Author
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Robert C. Sergott, Peter J. Savino, Sultan Niazi, Heather A Maust, Sandra Weibel, and Rod Foroozan
- Subjects
Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Visual acuity ,Sarcoidosis ,medicine.drug_class ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Visual Acuity ,Optic neuropathy ,Prednisone ,Optic Nerve Diseases ,medicine ,Humans ,Glucocorticoids ,Chemotherapy ,business.industry ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Magnetic Resonance Imaging ,Surgery ,Ophthalmology ,Methotrexate ,Optic nerve ,Corticosteroid ,Folic Acid Antagonists ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,Visual Fields ,business ,Immunosuppressive Agents ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Objective To demonstrate the possible beneficial effects of methotrexate (MTX) therapy for patients with sarcoid-associated optic neuropathy (SAON). Design Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Participants Three patients diagnosed with SAON who received MTX. Two patients had tissue biopsies consistent with sarcoidosis, and 1 patient had clinically diagnosed sarcoidosis based on laboratory and radiographic studies. All 3 patients developed side effects with corticosteroid treatment of their optic neuropathy. Intervention Patients were treated with weekly doses of oral MTX and monitored with neuro-ophthalmic, medical, and laboratory examinations. Main outcome measures Visual acuity, automated perimetry, and reduction of oral prednisone therapy. Results After initiation of MTX, all 3 patients showed an improvement or stabilization of visual acuity. All patients had a decrease in their corticosteroid requirements, and all had improved or stabilized visual field deficits. One of the 3 patients developed leukopenia that necessitated a reduction of the methotrexate dose. Conclusion Methotrexate may be effective for SAON as an adjunct to corticosteroid therapy or as an alternative for corticosteroid-intolerant patients. Oral MTX reduced the corticosteroid requirements of 3 patients with SAON, and all 3 demonstrated stable or improved visual function.
- Published
- 2003