Incidencia de los niveles altos de transaminasas hepáticas en pacientes con artritis reumatoide que reciben metotrexato en el Hospital José Carrasco Arteaga, Cuenca

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a degenerative disease whose evolution causes the patient's life deterioration. Though it does not cause short-term mortality, it decreases quality of life .In order to control the degenerative process, Methotrexate is used as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug.

During this research, it has shown the incidence of elevated levels of liver transaminases due to the prolonged use of methotrexate in patients of both sexes, aged 20 to 80,so it was essential to review the medical records who came to the area of Rheumatology at Hospital José Carrasco Arteaga in the course of a year (August 2014 - August 2015) in the city of Cuenca. 78 patients who met the parameters established for this study were obtained.

The incidence of patients with levels of alanine amino transferase above 41 IU, considered normal value, was 34.6%, close to 58% in men and 27% in women with significant differences in both groups (P = 0,0296).

Regarding the enzyme aspartate amino transferase with normal values of 41 IU, it was observed levels above the normal range in approximately one of every four patients, and no significant differences according to sex.

According to the results obtained in this research, it was confirmed the importance of Methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis treatment due to prolonged administration, by causing an increase of transaminases.