title: Adjunctive use of hydroxychloroquine in childhood dermatomyositis.
abstract: We examined retrospectively the use of hydroxychloroquine in 9 patients with childhood dermatomyositis (DM). These patients had an incomplete response to corticosteroid therapy or had disease exacerbation when attempting to taper corticosteroids. They received hydroxychloroquine in a mean dosage of 3.6 mg/kg (range 2-5 mg/kg) while maintaining corticosteroid therapy. Significant improvement was noted at 3 months of therapy in rash (p less than 0.0001), proximal (p = 0.0004) and abdominal muscle strength (p = 0.0001) and at 6 months of therapy in reduced prednisone dosage (p less than 0.02). These data suggest hydroxychloroquine may be helpful in some patients with childhood DM, particularly those with prominent cutaneous disease or significant corticosteroid toxicity.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66103.
authors: N Y
authors: NY
authors: Olson
authors: C B
authors: CB
authors: Lindsley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain; D010166:Palliative Care; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine; D011241:Prednisone