Treatment of Still's disease with bolus methylprednisolone. Retrospective study of 7 patients
Bisagni-Faure, A.; Job-Deslandre, C.; Menkès, C.J.
Revue du Rhumatisme et des Maladies Osteo-Articulaires 59(3): 228-232
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-2659 PMID: 1609242 Document Number: 388221
The problems raised by the treatment of Still's disease in the child or adult led the authors to evaluate the short term clinical efficacy of bolus doses of methylprednisolone. Seven patients were given 12 boluses, followed by oral corticosteroids at 5 to 10 mg in 9 cases out of 12. Still's disease was active in all cases. A frank clinical improvement was seen on the fourth day. The response duration was 3 weeks to 20 months, with a mean follow-up period of 7 months. There were 3 early relapses, 5 late relapses between 2 and 20 months and 4 patients are still in remission at 5, 6, 15 and 19 months. There were no immediate adverse reactions. These results suggest the usefulness of boluses of methylprednisolone in exacerbations of Still's disease, avoiding the disadvantages of high dosage daily corticosteroids.