Eran Rom1, Gil Amarilyo2, Yoel Levinski3, Efraim Bilavsky1, Ori Goldberg1, Jacob Amir1, Liora Harel4. 1. Department of Pediatrics C, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 2. Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 3. Department of Pediatrics C, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel. 4. Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel. Electronic address: liorahar@clalit.org.il.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study describes our 5-year experience treating protracted febrile myalgia syndrome (PFMS) with pulsed doses of corticosteroids. METHODS: Eight patients with PFMS who received pulse corticosteroid therapy were identified from the electronic database of a tertiary pediatric medical center (2011-2016). Their clinical and laboratory data were collected. Differences in continuous variables between hospital admission and discharge were analyzed using Wilcoxon's matched pairs test. RESULTS: There were 6 female and 2 male patients of median age 10.45 years (range 6.2-17.1) Six patients were found to be homozygous for the M694V mutation. In 4 patients, PFMS was the first-ever manifestation of familial Mediterranean fever. Pulse corticosteroid therapy was administered at a dose of 10mg/kg for 3 days. Pain was alleviated (visual analog scale score, 0) within hours of initiation of therapy, although pain flare-ups lasting for minutes to hours were still observed during hospitalization. At discharge, all patients were prescribed continuous oral corticosteroids (1-2mg/kg) with gradual tapering down over 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Pulse corticosteroid therapy is effective in alleviating PFMS pain; however, it does not completely abort a PFMS episode.
OBJECTIVE: This study describes our 5-year experience treating protracted febrile myalgia syndrome (PFMS) with pulsed doses of corticosteroids. METHODS: Eight patients with PFMS who received pulse corticosteroid therapy were identified from the electronic database of a tertiary pediatric medical center (2011-2016). Their clinical and laboratory data were collected. Differences in continuous variables between hospital admission and discharge were analyzed using Wilcoxon's matched pairs test. RESULTS: There were 6 female and 2 male patients of median age 10.45 years (range 6.2-17.1) Six patients were found to be homozygous for the M694V mutation. In 4 patients, PFMS was the first-ever manifestation of familial Mediterranean fever. Pulse corticosteroid therapy was administered at a dose of 10mg/kg for 3 days. Pain was alleviated (visual analog scale score, 0) within hours of initiation of therapy, although pain flare-ups lasting for minutes to hours were still observed during hospitalization. At discharge, all patients were prescribed continuous oral corticosteroids (1-2mg/kg) with gradual tapering down over 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Pulse corticosteroid therapy is effective in alleviating PFMS pain; however, it does not completely abort a PFMS episode.
Authors: T Kallinich; N Blank; T Braun; E Feist; U Kiltz; U Neudorf; P T Oommen; C Weseloh; H Wittkowski; J Braun Journal: Z Rheumatol Date: 2019-02 Impact factor: 1.372