title: Eaton-Lambert myasthenic syndrome: long-term treatment of three patients with prednisone.
abstract: Three patients with the myasthenic syndrome of Eaton-Lambert (ELS) were treated with prednisone for 6 and 12 months and more than 3 years, respectively. Muscle strength increased considerably in all, reaching a peak after 3 to 4 months, and was accompanied by simultaneous electromyographic improvement. Reduction of prednisone led to deterioration in all 3 patients; strength was regained when the higher dosage of prednisone was resumed. Prednisone is an alternative form of treatment for ELS, although the mechanism for its action is unclear.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone