Abstract
The authors report 10 patients with idiopathic dermatomyositis treated with mycophenolate mofetil in combination with corticosteroids. Successful steroid taper without disease relapse was achieved in six patients; however, in three patients, treatment was associated with opportunistic infections, leading to death in one patient. The disproportionately high rate of opportunistic infections in this group is considered.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Bronchopneumonia / chemically induced
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Bronchopneumonia / etiology
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Bronchopneumonia / mortality
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Dermatomyositis / complications
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Dermatomyositis / drug therapy*
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Female
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
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Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Mycophenolic Acid / administration & dosage
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Mycophenolic Acid / adverse effects
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Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
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Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
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Opportunistic Infections / chemically induced
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Opportunistic Infections / etiology
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Opportunistic Infections / mortality
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Prednisone / administration & dosage
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Prednisone / therapeutic use
Substances
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Mycophenolic Acid
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Prednisone