METHYLPREDNISOLONE PULSES IN STILLS DISEASE - RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 7 PATIENTS

The problems raised by the treatment of Still's disease in the child o r adult led the authors to evaluate the short term clinical efficacy o f bolus doses of methylprednisolone. Seven patients were given 12 bolu ses, 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 improvem ent was seen on the fourth day. The response duration was 3 weeks to 2 0 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 d isadvantages of high dosage daily corticosteroids.