Effectiveness, side-effects and period of remission after treatment with @entity1499 in localized scleroderma and related XXXX : an inception cohort study.

@entity1 @entity137 @entity3808 @entity1500 @entity272 @entity1499 @entity288
BACKGROUND: Detailed information is lacking on effectiveness of @entity1499 ( @entity1500 ) in @entity272 , side-effects, and duration of remission after discontinuation. OBJECTIVES: To determine effectiveness, side-effects and period of remission gained by use of @entity1500 in @entity272 . METHODS: All @entity1 with a @entity272 who were treated with @entity1500 (group A) or @entity1500 with @entity288 (CS) (group B) between 1995 and 2007 were evaluated. Detailed information was collected on dosage and duration of @entity1500 treatment, concomitant immunosuppressive medication and CS treatment, effectiveness, side-effects, duration of the remission period, and time until restart. RESULTS: Fifty-eight @entity1 (A, n = 47; B, n = 11) were evaluated. Clinical assessment revealed that 38 @entity1 (81%) treated with @entity1500 and 11 @entity1 (100%) treated with @entity1500 + CS showed improvement of @entity3808 skin. After one treatment course 51% of the @entity1 treated with @entity1500 and 73% treated with @entity1500 + CS reached remission status with a median follow-up time of 55 and 58 months. @entity1 showing relapse still responded to a second and even to a third course of @entity1500 . @entity1 who showed a relapse had received a lower cumulative dose, due to a shorter period of treatment with @entity1500 in the first course. Serious side-effects were seen in six @entity1 (10%). CONCLUSIONS: @entity1500 was an effective treatment for various @entity272 with a long period of remission and relatively low @entity137 . @entity1 showing relapse still responded to a second and third course of @entity1500 .
