Fatal methotrexate-induced pneumonitis in a psoriatic patient

Mil Med. 2004 Apr;169(4):298-300. doi: 10.7205/milmed.169.4.298.

Abstract

Pulmonary toxicity, as an adverse effect of methotrexate (MTX) therapy, is uncommon in psoriatics. This report concerns a patient with psoriatic arthritis who developed fatal pneumonitis with a histopathological pattern of the organizing stage of diffuse alveolar damage and who was receiving MTX at a dose of 15 mg weekly for 1 month. The patient died despite the immediate withdrawal of MTX, the administration of corticosteroids, and adequate supportive care. Since MTX pneumonitis is a potentially fatal complication, new pulmonary symptoms, even in patients on low-dose MTX treatment, should be appropriately investigated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Psoriatic / drug therapy*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / adverse effects*
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced*
  • Pneumonia / pathology

Substances

  • Folic Acid Antagonists
  • Methotrexate