Juvenile dermato/polymyositis: a retrospective analysis of 33 cases with special focus on initial CPK levels

Retrospective analysis of 33 patients with juvenile dermato/polymyositis showed 45% complete recovery, 26% remission (steroid dependent), 6% wheelchair-dependency, 3% deaths and 10% development of other connective tissue diseases after a mean follow up of 4 years. Patients who received 2 mg/kg of prednisone had the worst prognosis but since they apparently represent a subgroup it is questionable whether high dose prednisone was the cause of the poor prognosis. This subgroup is characterized by high CPK serum levels (a 10-fold increase or more) and an acute type of onset. An initial high ANA titer was found to predict the later development of other connective tissue disorders.