PA

Your Article Summary

See Latest Articles

Favorable Outcome of Juvenile Dermatomyositis Treated without Systemic Corticosteroids
The Journal of Pediatrics, 10/27/09

Levy DM et al. – Systemic corticosteroids can be avoided in a select group of patients with JDM. Alternative agents such as methotrexate and IVIG may be prescribed to effectively treat JDM and prevent complications.

• A retrospective study of 38 patients with JDM treated at a tertiary care children's hospital identified 8 patients who had never received corticosteroids.
• Disease presentation and course, pharmacologic, and ancillary treatments were recorded.

• Patients in the no corticosteroid group were followed for a median of 2.8 years (range, 2.1 to 9.5 years).
• Treatment was primarily with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (75%) and methotrexate (50%), with favorable response in all.
• No serious treatment complications were observed; headaches were reported by 3 patients receiving IVIG.
• Two patients had a myositis flare after discontinuing all medications for more than 1 year; complete resolution of symptoms was observed after either 1 or 2 further doses of IVIG.
• Two patients had calcinosis (at 1 and 9 years of disease); however, no patient had joint contractures, muscle atrophy, lipodystrophy, or functional limitations.

Related Articles

See all related articles

Juvenile dermatomyositis: new developments in pathogenesis, assessment and treatment
Best Practice & Research: Clinical Rheumatology, 10/28/09    Relevance Score: 79%

An Umbrella Review: Corticosteroid Therapy for Adults with Acute Asthma
American Journal of Medicine, 10/27/09    Relevance Score: 68%

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage as an unusual presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatology International, 11/17/09    Relevance Score: 66%

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 10/20/09    Relevance Score: 66%

A case with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic reactive AA amyloidosis showing rapid regression of amyloid deposition on gastroduodenal mucosa after a combined therapy of corticosteroid and etanercept
Rheumatology International, 10/16/09    Relevance Score: 66%

Today in Clinical Pharmacology...keeping you current

Receive free subspecialty "5-minute updates" via email

A prospective phase II study of cetuximab in combination with XELOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) in patients with metastatic and/or recurrent advanced gastric cancer
Investigational New Drugs, 12/17/09

ACC, AHA Update Guidelines for Beta Blockers
American Family Physician, 12/17/09

Pharmacist and physician collaborative prescribing: For medication renewals within a primary health centre
Canadian Family Physician, 12/17/09

 See all of Clinical Pharmacology

Today in Pediatrics...keeping you current

Receive free subspecialty "5-minute updates" via email

Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Assessment and Intervention in Children and Adolescents
British Journal of Medical Practitioners, 12/17/09

The Impact of Adolescent Chronic Pain on Functioning: Disentangling the Complex Role of Anxiety
The Journal of Pain, 12/17/09

Comparative Study of Greater Palatine Nerve Block and Intravenous Pethidine for Postoperative Analgesia in Children Undergoing Palatoplasty
Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, 12/17/09

 See all of Pediatrics

Today in Rheumatology...keeping you current

Receive free subspecialty "5-minute updates" via email

Taking the stress out of managing gout
Canadian Family Physician, 12/17/09

Phytalgic(R), a food supplement, vs placebo in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
Arthritis Research & Therapy, 12/17/09

Elevated Circulating and Synovial Fluid Endoglin Are Associated with Primary Knee Osteoarthritis Severity
Archives of Medical Research, 12/17/09

 See all of Rheumatology