Megadose corticosteroid therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The therapeutic efficacy and upper limits of corticosteroid dosage in the treatment of collagen diseases have not been determined. Thirteen patients are reported (11 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 2 with polymyositis), 7 of whom had good clinical results from megadose dexamethasone therapy in the range of 1,300 to 7,200 mg during an acute stage of their disease. Of the 7, 5 patients also had improved laboratory findings; 3 also had improved radiolgic abnormalities. Complications seem no worse than from conventional high-dosage corticosteroid therapy.