Superficial fungal infection of the skin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after methotrexate therapy

ABSTRACT

Fungal infection of the skin is common disorder characterized by recurrent candidal skin infection, tinea cruris, tinea [pityriasis] versicolor and candidal infection of the nails in patients suffered of rheumatoid arthritis [R.A.] and treated by methotrexate. To discover the fungal skin complications after usage of methotrexate in the treatment of patients with Rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty two patients with R.A. were enrolled in the study who received 7.5 mg methotrexate and daily 100 mg diclofenac for six months in comparison to 32 patients with R.A. who received only daily 100 mg diclofenac as treatment. Ten patients [31.2%] developed fungal infection of the skin and nails, 5 [16%] patients with tinea versicolor of the body, 3 [9%] patients with tinea cruris and [6%] two patients had paronychia. The control group did not develop any skin or nails fungal disorders. Superficial fungal infection was a common problem among RA patients treated with methorexate