@article{article_21608, title={The effects of low-dose weekly folate supplementation versus high-dose daily folate}, journal={Ankara Medical Journal}, volume={15}, year={2015}, DOI={10.17098/amj.63037}, author={Gencay Can, Aslı and Günendi, Zafer and Mengi, Gönen and Aslan, Özlem and Göğüş, Feride}, keywords={Methotrexate; rheumatoid arthritis; folate supplementation}, abstract={<p> <strong>Objectives: </strong> There is no consensus on the dosage of folic acid required for the prevention of methotrexate (MTX) toxicity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the study was to assess the effects of low-dose weekly folate versus high-dose daily folate on prevention of MTX toxicity in RA patients. </p> <p> <strong>Materials and Methods: </strong> Randomized controlled study of rheumatoid arthritis patients who were treated at Department of Rheumatology in Gazi University between October 2009 and February 2010. Thirty-eight RA patients were received 10 mg/week MTX and 5-10 mg/day prednisolon were randomly allocated to receive 5 mg/week folate or 2.5 mg six days/week folate. All patients were evaluated for complete blood cell count, liver function tests, alopecia, stomatitis and gastrointestinal symptoms before and six months after the treatment. </p> <p> <strong>Results: </strong> There were no significant differences in the development of stomatitis, alopecia, gastrointestinal symptoms, anemia, leukopenia, erythropenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated liver function tests between the groups at sixth month. </p> <p> <strong>Conclusion </strong>: Our results support that 5 mg folate supplementation once a week is adequate in RA patients. </p>}, number={4}, publisher={Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University}