Key clinical point: Methotrexate did not significantly improve pain for patients with osteoarthritis of the hand, but it showed signs of improving remodeling of joint erosions.

Major finding: The mean VAS score for patients in the methotrexate group decreased from 65.7 at baseline to 48.2 at 3 months (–17.5; P = .07), compared with a decrease from 63.9 to 55.5 (–8.4; P = .002). At 12 months, VAS scores for patients in the methotrexate group decreased to 47.5, compared with a decrease in the placebo group to 48.2. However, the between-group differences for VAS scores were not significant at 3 months (P = .2) and at 12 months (P = .6).

Study details: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 64 patients with osteoarthritis of the hand who received methotrexate or placebo.

Disclosures: The authors reported no conflicts of interest.