Meta-analysis Of The Efficacy And Safety Of Methotrexate In Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective: Methotrexate is the second-line drug for IBD therapy.We searched relevant RCTs to explore the efficacy and safty of methotrexate in IBD.Methods: RCTs were considered eligible.Studies with adult IBD patients receiving methotrexate compared with placebo were analyzed.The data were summarized using relative risk(RR)and pooled using a fixed effects model.Results: There was statistical significance of MTX inducing and maintain remission in CD compared with placebo(RR=1.53;95%CI=1.10-2.13),rather than UC.Short term and long term therapy both reached statistical significance inducing and maintain remission in CD compared with placebo,the efficacy of short term therapy is more certain(short term therapy(RR = 2.94;95%CI=1.62-5.34);long term therapy(RR=1.97;95%CI=1.22-3.18)).Conclusion: Most evidence relates to MTX demonstrates that there is statistically significance at inducing remission in CD,absoultly in short term therapy.The efficacy of MTX in UC need nore researches.Although MTX is a safe drug,we still should pay more attention in clinical treatment.