Tolerance and observance of methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis at the university Hospital Bogodogo, Burkina Faso

This study is aimed at assessing tolerance and observance of the patients with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) treated by methotrexate at University Hospital Bogodogo, in Burkina Faso. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2015 in outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis monitored in rheumatology service. Data were obtained from interview, by reviewing medical cards of the patients and consultation report forms. In total, 205 patients with RA were included. Among them, 135 were treated with methotrexate (65.9%). All patients treated with methotrexate took folic acid tablet weekly. The duration of RA evolution varied from 1 to 360 months with a mean of 48 month. The mean duration of treatment with methotrexate was 30.2 months. Among the patients treated with methotrexate, 28.8% observed adverse reactions, 53.3% declare taking their medication without break during the last month. Discomfort (8.9%) and nausea (5.9%) were the most frequent adverse effects. Stock out of methotrexate in community pharmacy (10.4%) and adverse effect (5.9%) were the main reasons of patient’s inobservance. Methotrexate is always the cornerstone of RA treatment. This study confirms the good tolerance of methotrexate and difficulty of observance with this treatment. Key words: Rheumatoid arthritis, observance, methotrexate, tolerance, Burkina Faso.