Long-term complex treatment of children with diffuse diseases of connective tissue

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Immunology
• Internal Medicine
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Background:

• Systemic autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and scleroderma present significant long-term management challenges.
• Current treatment paradigms often struggle to achieve sustained remission and prevent disease progression, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive, stage-by-stage therapeutic strategy for patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and scleroderma.
• To assess the impact of individualized treatment regimens on clinical outcomes, including mortality, relapse rates, disability, and long-term remission.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 580 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and scleroderma received long-term, stage-specific care.
• Treatment protocols incorporated individualized medication regimens, hemosorption, and balneotherapy (water- and mud baths).

Main Results:

• The integrated therapeutic approach resulted in a greater than threefold decrease in hospital lethality.
• A similar reduction (more than threefold) was observed in the number of relapses and the incidence of disability among the patient cohort.
• The treatment strategy facilitated the maintenance of stable, long-term remission in a significant proportion of patients.

Conclusions:

• Individualized, multi-modal treatment strategies combining pharmacotherapy with physical therapies are highly effective in managing systemic autoimmune diseases.
• This comprehensive care model significantly improves patient survival, reduces disease activity, and enhances quality of life by enabling sustained remission.