Publication at First Faculty of Medicine |
2015
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are considered the foundation of pharmacotherapy of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, although their effectiveness has not been validated in clinical trials. Usually at the beginning of the disease, treatment is initiated with high dose prednisone or methylprednisolone pulses.
According to clinical response is dose 3-4 weeks later starts to decrease, typically by about 20% every 4-6 weeks to achieve a low maintenance dose. Complete discontinuation of therapy is possible only in a minority of patients.