Factores asociados a hepatotoxicidad en pacientes con artritis reumatoide tratados con metotrexato, en el área de consulta externa del Hospital Liborio Panchana Sotomayor durante el año 2024-2025.

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic and chronic inflammatory pathology that requires prolonged pharmacological treatment to control disease activity and prevent joint damage. Methotrexate constitutes the first-line therapeutic pillar; However, its sustained use can be associated with adverse effects, highlighting hepatotoxicity as one of the most relevant complications in clinical practice. General objective: Characterize the factors associated with hepatotoxicity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate in the outpatient consultation area of the Dr. Liborio Panchana Sotomayor General Hospital during the year 2024-2025. Methodology: It was analytical, retrospective, cross-sectional and observational. Results: The study included fifty patients, of which 90% were female and 10% male, 64% corresponded to the age group of 46 to 69 years. Thirty-two percent had a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus and 20% had previous and familial hypertension. 31.91% were overweight. Liver enzyme values increased in eleven patients (22%). Hepatotoxicity associated with sex, age group, nutritional status, and RA progression showed a Chi-square test of 0.211; 0.662; 0.340 and 0.869, respectively. Conclusion: The mean age of RA patients treated with methotrexate was 49.54 years, female sex predominated, 22% of the sample showed hepatotoxicity, hypertension was a prevalent factor; and sex, age group, nutritional status, and duration of RA do not influence hepatotoxicity in the population studied.