Low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide in systemic sclerosis: an open prospective efficacy study in patients with early diffuse disease

VALENTINI, Gabriele
LA MONTAGNA, Giovanni
PAONE C
CHIAROLANZA I
MENEGOZZO M
COLUTTA E
RUOCCO L.

Open link

Publication date

January 2006

DOI

10.1080/03009740510026896

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

ISSN

0300-9742

Citation count (estimate)

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of a treatment with low‐dose intravenous cyclophosphamide (CYC) and low‐dose prednisone in early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). Methods: Patients with dcSSc and a disease duration <24 months consecutively admitted to a tertiary centre underwent a prospective 1‐year study. They were treated with i.v. CYC 500 mg/pulses, 10 mg prednisone equivalent, and supportive therapy. Modified Rodnan skin score (mRss), Health Assessment Questionnaire – Disability Index (HAQ‐DI), forced vital capacity (FVC), and diffusing lung capacity for CO (DLCO) were assessed as outcome measures. In addition, the nine Medsger severity scale scores were evaluated. Results: mRss and DLCO significantly improved at bo...