Efficacy of dexamethasone pulse therapy in progressive systemic sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Systemic sclerosis is a disease of unknown etiology for which no specific treatment is effective. Pulse therapy with corticosteroids has been tried for various autoimmune disorders with minimal side effects. We undertook this study to determine the efficacy of dexamethasone pulse therapy in progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS).


METHODS
Five women with PSS between the ages 30 and 60 years, received 100 mg dexamethasone in 500 mL of 5% dextrose by slow intravenous infusion over 3 hours for 3 consecutive days, once a month.


RESULTS
All patients had symptomatic and clinical improvement. The vital capacity improved in three and posttreatment histopathologic regression was seen in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Dexamethasone pulse therapy may provide an additional option for treating systemic sclerosis.
Department of Dermatology, Kasturba Medical College & Hospital, Manipal, India.
B S
BS
Pai
C R
CR
Srinivas
L
L
Sabitha
S D
SD
Shenoi
C N
CN
Balachandran
S
S
Acharya
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D012074:Remission Induction; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone