National survey on status of steroid therapy for cardiac sarcoidosis in Japan

Shinya Hiramitsu, Shin Ichiro Morimoto, Akihisa Uemura, Yasuchika Kato, Katsutomo Kimura, Masatsugu Ohtsuki, Shigeru Kato, Atsushi Sugiura, Kenji Miyagishima, Hitoshi Hishida, Katsunori Sugisaki, Tomiyasu Tsuda

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: This investigation was undertaken to clarify the current status of steroid therapy for cardiac sarcoidosis in Japan. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted throughout Japan concerning cases in which steroid therapy had been administered. Replies describing 52 cases (15 men, 37 women; mean age ± SD, 59.8 ± 14.5 years) were analyzed. Results: Of the 49 patients whose New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification was reported, 29 (55.8%) were in class I; 13 (25.0%) class II; 4 (7.7%) class III and 3 (5.8%) class IV. The most common initial steroid dose (used in 35 cases, or 67.3%) was 30 mg/day or 60 mg on alternate days. In most cases (85.4%), this dose was continued for 1 month followed by tapering by 5 mg every 2 to 4 weeks until reaching the maintenance dose of 5 to 10 mg/day. Steroid therapy was reported to result in improvement in 54%, no change in 40%, and deterioration in 6%. Conclusion: This nationwide questionnaire survey indicated fairly uniform patterns of steroid therapy for cardiac sarcoidosis in Japan, with clinical improvement in over one-half of cases and possible stabilization in most others.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)210-213
Number of pages4
JournalSarcoidosis Vasculitis and Diffuse Lung Diseases
Volume22
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 10-2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Internal Medicine
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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