Background and objective: To analize the response to treatment with oral tacrolimus in severe juvenile dermatomyositis.
Patients and method: Clinical charts of the patients diagnosed at our hospital as having definite juvenile dermatomyositis between 1998 and 2004, who have completed 12 months of treatment with oral tacrolimus, were reviewed retrospectively. The MMT (Manual Muscle Testing)-Kendall scale, the MDAA (Myosits Disease Activity Assessment), and the Riley et al score were used for the evaluation of the muscular and skin response.
Results: The study included 6 patients, (evolution: 0.16-11 years). At the end of the follow-up period (12 months) there was a significant improvement at both, muscular and cutaneous level in all patients. Side effects were not observed. Tapering of the daily corticosteroids dose was also possible.
Conclusions: Oral tacrolimus therapy seems to be an effective and safe alternative in cases of severe juvenile dermatomyositis, especially in those with an important cutaneous involvement.