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Treatment of Inflammatory Myopathies
Muscle & Nerve 20:651-664997., Mastaglia,F.L.,et al, 1997
See this aricle in Pubmed

Article Abstract
The treatment of the immune-mediated inflammatory myopathies remain largely empirical.Corticosteroids are usually effective in polymyositis and dermatomyositis but may need to be combined with methotrexate or azathioprine in some patients.Intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG)is effective as add on therapy in some patients not adequately controlled steroids or immunosuppressive agents,but further controlled trials of(IVIG)are necessary to define the indications and optimal dose regimens. Cyclophosphamide,cyclosporin,or chlorambucil may be effective in patients with refractory polymyositis or dermatomyositis.Low dose whole body or lymphoid irradiation is a last option in severely disabled patients resistant to all other treatments.As a small proportion of patients with myositis respond to corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy,a 3 to 6 month trial of such therapy is justified in this condition.More specific immunosuppressive therapy for these disorders awaits identification of the target antigens and further clarification of the immunopathogenetic mechanisms.
 
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azathioprine
chlorambucil
cyclophosphamide
cyclosporine
dermatomyositis
dermatomyositis,childhood
gammaglobulin therapy,intravenous
immunosuppressive agents
inclusion body myositis
methotrexate
myositis
polymyositis
radiation therapy,total body
review article
steroid therapy,CNS treatment and complications with
treatment of neurologic disorder

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