Folic Acid Prevents Specific Deficiency in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Category: Conditions of the Bone

Methotrexate is a commonly prescribed medication for severe rheumatoid arthritis. It is a very effective drug, though its mechanism of action results in a deficiency of folate, or folic acid, in the serum and red blood cells. Low folic acid can cause an increase in homocysteine, a molecule known to increase oxidative damage and increase risk of heart disease.

The study published in the December issue of the Journal of Rheumatology documented the effects of a low dose of folate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis being treated with methotrexate. The study compared treatment with placebo for 1 year and measured the cellular levels of methotrexate, folate, and homocysteine.

The study found that treatment with methotrexate alone resulted in an increase in methotrexate levels in the cells as homocysteine in the blood. There was also a decrease in the levels of folate in the blood and red blood cells. In the treatment group there was also a rise in the level of methotrexate in the cells, but folate level was maintained and there was not a rise in homocysteine.

The study concluded that low dose folate was an effective treatment for preventing folate deficiency caused by methotrexate and a resulting increase in homocysteine. Low dose folate does not decrease the efficacy of methotrexate or hinder treatment.

Posted by Kristopher Foster on December 11, 2008 10:00 AM