Experience with cyclophosphamide in the treatment of a young woman with refractory dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by the presence of rash and moderate-to-severe muscle weakness secondary to inflammation of the muscle. It can be a difficult condition to treat. Systemic corticosteroids are the first choice of treatment. However, about a quarter...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Indonesia Rheumatology Association
2018-02-01
|
| Series: | Indonesian Journal of Rheumatology |
| Online Access: | https://journalrheumatology.or.id/index.php/ijr/article/view/43 |
| Summary: | Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by the presence of rash and moderate-to-severe muscle weakness secondary to inflammation of the muscle. It can be a difficult condition to treat. Systemic corticosteroids are the first choice of treatment. However, about a quarter of patients either fail to respond to steroids or develop steroid-related toxicity. Second-line agents such as azathioprine and methotrexate are then added either alone, or in combination with corticosteroids. Failure of the disease to respond to
second-line agents can then be a problem and this is often referred to as “refractory dermatomyositisâ€. Unfortunately, there is neither agreement nor wellestablished guidelines on the best regimen or combination of immunosuppressive agents in the case of refractory dermatomyositis. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2086-1435 2581-1142 |