No significant differences seen in diastolic blood pressure, augmentation index, DAS28-CRP
MONDAY, Sept. 15, 2025 (HealthDay News) — For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), methotrexate significantly reduces systolic blood pressure (SBP), according to a study published online July 31 in the Annals of Medicine.
Arduino A. Mangoni, M.D., Ph.D., from Flinders University in Australia, and colleagues conducted a controlled comparative study of treatment-naive newly diagnosed RA patients commenced on subcutaneous methotrexate (group 1; 31 patients) or the disease-modifying antirheumatic drug comparator sulfasalazine (group 2; 31 patients). At baseline and after one and six months of treatment, clinic SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) and augmentation index were measured.
The researchers found that after six months, patients in group 1 had significantly lower SBP than those in group 2 (−7.4 mm Hg). No significant between-group differences were seen in DBP, augmentation index, or Disease Activity Score-28 C-reactive protein. During methotrexate treatment, there was a significant effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1801133 (methyl tetrahydrofolate reductase) and rs2231142 (ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2) on BP changes.
“This kind of reduction is considered meaningful because even a small drop in blood pressure can lower the risk of serious heart problems like heart attacks and strokes,” Mangoni said in a statement.
GI Safety Profile Similar for Dulaglutide, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide 
Two HLA Class I Alleles Independently Linked to Allopurinol-Induced SCARs 
High Flavanol Consumption May Counteract Sitting-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction 
Dupilumab Reduces Mucus Plug Scores With Moderate-to-Severe Asthma 
Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Increases During Nighttime Heatwaves 
Reducing Use of Sleep Drugs Helps Older Adults Live Better 
Recommendations Developed for Pediatric Patients With Tracheostomies 
Social Determinants of Health Independent Risk Factors for Asthma 
