Date of Award
6-2009
Document Type
Union College Only
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Biology
Language
English
Keywords
cortisol, levels, adrenocorticotropic, hormone, methotrexate
Abstract
This study was performed in an effort to determine the predictive and diagnostic values of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels for methotrexate treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Rheumatoid arthritis patients were started on methotrexate while cortisol levels, adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, and clinical improvement were monitored. It was found that a low to normal-low baseline level of cortisol is a good predictor of possible methotrexate efficacy in treating rheumatoid arthritis. On the other hand, high baseline cortisol levels are a predictor of a failure of drug efficacy. As a result of effective methotrexate treatment it was found that the ratio of serum cortisol to adrenocorticotropic hormone correlate inversely with patient improvement and, in general, cortisol levels decrease throughout effective treatment. Baseline levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone did not show any significant predictive value or fluctuations in relation to therapy overall.
Recommended Citation
Vora, Halley Paresh, "The effect of methotrexate on the cortisol levels relative to adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients in relation to clinical efficacy" (2009). Honors Theses. 1418.
https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses/1418