View source for DERMATOMYOSITIS & POLYMYOSITIS MANAGEMENT

===== [[Summary Article|'''SUMMARY''']] =====
1. Treated with a high-dose prednisone that is slowly tapered while a steroid sparing agent is added (azathioprine or MTX). 
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<br/>2. 80% begin to respond to the steroid within a few days to 6 weeks. 
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<br/>3. Patients with life-threatening manifestations receive IV pulse glucocorticoids.
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<br/>4. Antimalarials, such as hydroxychloroquine, are helpful for the rash in dermatomyositis.
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<br/>5. Think about superimposed steroid myopathy in a patient with PM/DM who initially improves  but then develops progressive weakness despite improvement in CK levels.
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<br/>6. Screen for cancer!


==Reference(s)==
Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [https://amzn.to/3YHrI6K Get it on Amazon.]
<br/>Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. [https://amzn.to/3k7WSW0 Get it on Amazon.]
<br/>Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
<br/>Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].

[[Category:Dermatomyositis & Polymyositis Management]]
[[Category:Rheumatology]]
[[Category:Medicine]]