In which condition is methotrexate considered a disease-modifying agent?

In which condition is methotrexate considered a disease-modifying agent?

• A. Rheumatoid arthritis
• B. Osteoarthritis
• C. Gout
• D. Psoriasis

Answer: (A)

Methotrexate is widely recognized as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) primarily used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. This condition is characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints, and the role of methotrexate is to reduce the inflammation and slow down disease progression by affecting the immune system. Methotrexate modifies the course of the illness rather than just alleviating symptoms, which is a key characteristic of disease-modifying agents. In contrast, while osteoarthritis is a prevalent joint condition, it primarily involves the degeneration of joint cartilage and does not respond to DMARDs like methotrexate; treatment focuses on pain management and physical therapy. Gout is treated with medications that address hyperuricemia and acute inflammation rather than disease modification, and while methotrexate might be used in certain severe cases of psoriasis, it is notably utilized for managing rheumatoid arthritis in a disease-modifying capacity. Therefore, the use of methotrexate as a DMARD is distinctly prominent in the context of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methotrexate is widely recognized as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) primarily used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. This condition is characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints, and the role of methotrexate is to reduce the inflammation and slow down disease progression by affecting the immune system. Methotrexate modifies the course of the illness rather than just alleviating symptoms, which is a key characteristic of disease-modifying agents.

In contrast, while osteoarthritis is a prevalent joint condition, it primarily involves the degeneration of joint cartilage and does not respond to DMARDs like methotrexate; treatment focuses on pain management and physical therapy. Gout is treated with medications that address hyperuricemia and acute inflammation rather than disease modification, and while methotrexate might be used in certain severe cases of psoriasis, it is notably utilized for managing rheumatoid arthritis in a disease-modifying capacity. Therefore, the use of methotrexate as a DMARD is distinctly prominent in the context of rheumatoid arthritis.