What is low-dose corticosteroid therapy in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis? A world-wide questionnaire-based survey

Journal/Book: Z Rheumatol 1999; 58: 311. 1999;

Abstract: H. Michels; Abt. f. Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie Fachkrankenhaus Neckargemünd GmbH Neckargemünd Objective. To find out pediatric rheumatologists' personal definitions of systemic low-dose long-term (> 4 weeks) corticosteroid therapy (LD-LT CST) of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Methods. Pediatric rheumatologists from America Near East (Israel) Australia and Europe were asked for their personal definition of a LD-LT-CST of JRA using a standardized questionnaire. Results. Of 99 returned questionnaires 92 were evaluable. The dosage still considered low turned out to be 0.26±0.14 mg prednisolone/kgBW/day (min-max= 0.04-0.50 mg n=92) whereby from Northern Europe (0.29±0.12 n=9) Western Europe (0.42±0.14 mg/kgBW/day n=7) Southern Europe (0.30±0.14 mg/kgBW/day n=9) Eastern Europe (0.25±0.14 mg/kgBW/day n=6) and North America (0.33±0.17 mg/kgBW/day n=16) higher dosages had been indicated than from Central Europe (0.19±0.09 mg/kgBW/day n=43). Conclusion. Pediatric rheumatologists' personal definitions of LD-LT-CST vary in a wide range. Therefore by means of an internationally organized discussion a generally accepted definition should be developed and afterwards examined in studies. ... le

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