title: Megadose corticosteroid therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: The therapeutic efficacy and upper limits of corticosteroid dosage in the treatment of collagen diseases have not been determined. Thirteen patients are reported (11 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 2 with polymyositis), 7 of whom had good clinical results from megadose dexamethasone therapy in the range of 1,300 to 7,200 mg during an acute stage of their disease. Of the 7, 5 patients also had improved laboratory findings; 3 also had improved radiolgic abnormalities. Complications seem no worse than from conventional high-dosage corticosteroid therapy.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009220:Myositis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009393:Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones