[Pulse therapy in diffuse connective tissue diseases]

Methods of i.v. pulsed treatment using methyl prednisolone, cyclophosphamide or polyvalent immunoglobulin made it possible to suppress rapidly and effectively the activity of prognostically serious (clinical and laboratory) manifestations in diffuse connective tissue diseases (systemic autoimmune diseases). The author presents a general justification of this therapeutic method with emphasis on the immunogenetics of pathological autoimmunity (autogenes, apoptosis), he describes methodical aspects, the asset and partial clinical indications in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, and primary systemic vasculitis. The author mentions also prerequisites of further development of i.v. pulsed treatment in diffuse connective tissue diseases.