Low-dose methotrexate-induced pancytopenia in three patients with impaired renal function / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Methotrexate (MTX) is indicated for patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but it sometimes causes severe hematologic complications in patients with impaired renal function. We experienced three cases of pancytopenia due to low-dose MTX treatment in RA patients with impaired renal function. Two patients were dialysis patients, and the other had stage 4 chronic kidney disease. The mean cumulative MTX dose and treatment duration for the three patients was 25 mg and 10 days, respectively. All cases experienced severe stomatitis and pancytopenia and recovered with conservative care. In conclusion, MTX should be used cautiously in patients with impaired renal function.