Calcinosis in dermatomyositis treated with probenecid

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pediatrics
• Dermatology

Background:

• Childhood dermatomyositis often leads to calcinosis, causing significant disability.
• Current treatments for calcinosis in dermatomyositis have shown disappointing results.

Observation:

• A case study involved a 9-year-old girl with severe subcutaneous and intermuscular calcinosis.
• The patient was treated with the uricosuric agent probenecid.

Findings:

• Probenecid treatment resulted in a dramatic decrease in calcinosis.
• This suggests probenecid may be effective in managing calcinosis associated with childhood dermatomyositis.

Implications:

• Further controlled studies are warranted to evaluate probenecid's efficacy and safety.
• Probenecid could represent a novel therapeutic option for calcinosis in juvenile dermatomyositis.