PLASMA LIVER ENZYMES STATUS IN SUDANESE RHEUMATIC ARTHRITIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH METHOTREXATE

Background: Methotrexate, a drug used for rheumatic arthritis treatment is suspected to has hepatotoxicity. Objectives: This study aimed to assess liver enzymes activity in plasma as indicator of MTX hepatotoxicity in RA Sudanese patients. Methodology: It is a Descriptive cross sectional study, conducted in Khartoum state from January to September 2016 in RA patients treated with MTX, the plasma AST, ALT and ALP activities were measured in study groups. Then, the Generated data analyzed using the statistical package (SPSS). Result: Plasma AST, ALT activities were higher in MTX treated group than healthy group .Plasma ALP activity was not significantly differ between the study groups. Conclusion: MTX increases plasma AST and ALT activity in RA patients, but it has no effect on plasma ALP