[Prognosis and current treatment of dermatomyositis]

The present revision has been carried out in order to final out to what extent corticosteroids have improved the vital and functional prognosis of dermatomyositis. Over the sixties and in the early seventies, statistical tables have not shown any substantial differences compared with those of the pre-steroid era. It has been observed since 1973 that early treatment with high doses (1-2 mg of prednisone per kg per day) clearly improves the vital prognosis of infantile dermatomyositis, but not the functional one. In adults, there is less experience and the problem always exists of a possible underlying neoplasm. In cases with resistance to corticosteroids, the association of immunosuppressors, particulary methotrexate, has begun to be tested. There is no proved effective treatment of calcinosis which results in functional recovery.