Adjunctive use of hydroxychloroquine in childhood dermatomyositis.

Abstract

We examined retrospectively the use of hydroxychloroquine in 9 patients with childhood dermatomyositis (DM). These patients had an incomplete response to corticosteroid therapy or had disease exacerbation when attempting to taper corticosteroids. They received hydroxychloroquine in a mean dosage of 3.6 mg/kg (range 2-5 mg/kg) while maintaining corticosteroid therapy. Significant improvement was noted at 3 months of therapy in rash (p less than 0.0001), proximal (p = 0.0004) and abdominal muscle strength (p = 0.0001) and at 6 months of therapy in reduced prednisone dosage (p less than 0.02). These data suggest hydroxychloroquine may be helpful in some patients with childhood DM, particularly those with prominent cutaneous disease or significant corticosteroid toxicity.

• Authors: N Y Olson, C B Lindsley
• Journal: The Journal of rheumatology (J Rheumatol) Vol. 16 Issue 12 Pg. 1545-7 (Dec 1989) ISSN: 0315-162X [Print] Canada
• PMID: 2483176 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Prednisone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Dermatomyositis (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Humans
• Hydroxychloroquine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Muscles (physiopathology)
• Pain
• Palliative Care
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Retrospective Studies
• Vision Disorders (chemically induced)