MEGADOSE CORTICOSTEROID-THERAPY IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

The therapeutic efficacy and upper limits of corticosteroid dosage in the treatment of collagen diseases have not been determined. Patients (13) are reported (11 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 2 with polymyositis), 7 of whom had good clinical results from megadose dexamethasone therapy in the range of 1300-7200 mg during an acute stage of their disease. Of the 7, 5 patients had improved laboratory findings; 3 had improved radiologic abnormalities. Complications seem no worse than from conventional high-dosage corticosteroid therapy.