Methylprednisolone pulse therapy in dermatomyositis.
A high dose of methylprednisolone (pulse therapy) was given to 3 patients with uncontrolled dermatomyositis (DM) accompanied by severe muscle weakness. The effects of pulse therapy were compared with findings in 5 patients with severe DM who were treated with the usual dose of prednisolone (controls). The pulse therapy led to an improvement in the clinical symptoms in the 3 patients with uncontrolled DM, who were in danger of aspiration pneumonia. A rapid reduction in muscle enzyme levels in this group was also evident.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged
D003402:Creatine Kinase; D008775:Methylprednisolone