Use of Methotrexate in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis in France: A Practice Survey

Fougerousse, Anne-Claire; Mery-Bossard, Laure; Parier, Josiane; Taieb, Charles; Bertolotti, Antoine; Maccari, Francois

PURPOSE: To evaluate the modalities of methotrexate prescription for moderate to severe psoriasis by dermatologists in France. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a national online practice survey between October and December 2020. RESULTS: A total of 254 dermatologists responded, 237 reported prescribing methotrexate for moderate to severe psoriasis in adults, of which 57% as a first line systemic treatment. Nineteen percent reported performing a test dose at the initiation of treatment. Methotrexate was prescribed orally in 54.7% of cases, subcutaneously in 44.8% of cases and intramuscularly in 0.4% of cases. The initial weekly dose of methotrexate was <15 mg for 30% of the dermatologists and ≥15 mg for 70% of them. Two hundred and three dermatologists had already change the route of administration for methotrexate from the oral to injectable form due to poor tolerance (48.3%), lack of efficacy (35%) or lack of compliance (16.7%). Two hundred thirty-four dermatologists (98.7%) reported prescribing folic acid with methotrexate, and 79.3% reported prescribing tests evaluating the risk of hepatic fibrosis. Forty-three percent of dermatologists have not initiated or have reduced their prescriptions since the beginning of the pandemic of COVID-19. Prescribing patterns were different according to the type of practice (private practice versus hospital/mixed practice). CONCLUSION: Methotrexate is used by the majority of dermatologists interviewed for moderate to severe psoriasis in adults, with heterogeneity of practices.