title: Successful treatment of dermatomyositis-related rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonitis with sequential oral cyclophosphamide and azathioprine.
abstract: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a major complication of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). We report the successful use of oral cyclophosphamide, followed by azathioprine maintenance, in the treatment of a patient with dermatomyositis-related rapidly deteriorating ILD, resistant to steroid. Prompt recognition and early aggressive immunosuppressive therapy may improve the outlook of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, New Territories, SAR China. ccmok@netvigator.com
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Mok
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: To
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Szeto
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001379:Azathioprine