| Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of a treatment with low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide (CYC) and low-dose prednisone in early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). METHODS: Patients with dcSSc and a disease duration <24 months consecutively admitted to a tertiary centre underwent a prospective 1-year study. They were treated with i.v. CYC 500 mg/pulses, 10 mg prednisone equivalent, and supportive therapy. Modified Rodnan skin score (mRss), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), forced vital capacity (FVC), and diffusing lung capacity for CO (DLCO) were assessed as outcome measures. In addition, the nine Medsger severity scale scores were evaluated. RESULTS: mRss and DLCO significantly improved at both 6 (p = 0.002 and 0.012, respectively) and 12 months (p = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). HAQ-DI showed a nearly significant reduction at 12 months (p = 0.06). Medsger's severity scores also improved for general condition (p = 0.001), peripheral vascular (p = 0.05), skin (p = 0.02), joint/tendon (p = 0.001), muscle (p = 0.05), and lung (p = 0.02). No treatment interruption was needed. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests a role for low-dose i.v. CYC in the treatment of early dcSSc. Controlled studies are warranted. |
| Authors | G Valentini, C Paone, G La Montagna, I Chiarolanza, M Menegozzo, E Colutta, L Ruocco
(Affiliation: The Rheumatology Health Unit, Second University of Naples, Italy. gabriele.valentini at unina2.it)
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| Journal | Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
(Scand J Rheumatol)
2006 Jan-Feb
Vol. 35
Issue 1
Pg. 35-8
ISSN: 0300-9742 Norway |
| PMID | 16467039
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Antirheumatic Agents
- Cyclophosphamide
- Prednisone
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Antirheumatic Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Cyclophosphamide
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Patient Selection
- Prednisone
(therapeutic use)
- Scleroderma, Diffuse
(drug therapy, immunology)
- Scleroderma, Systemic
(drug therapy, immunology)
- Severity of Illness Index
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
|
