Two challenging cases of anti-MDA-5 dermatomyositis with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease.

Anti-MDA-5 dermatomyositis (DM) is a subtype of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, commonly presenting as clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis. It is associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease and a poor prognosis. Here, we present two cases of anti-MDA-5 DM and discuss the challenges associated with timely diagnosis, and the importance of early and aggressive treatment.

Acetazolamide 125 mg BD is not significantly different from 375 mg BD in the prevention of acute mountain sickness: the prophylactic acetazolamide dosage comparison for efficacy (PACE) trial.

750 mg per day of acetazolamide in the prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS), as recommended in the meta-analysis published in 2000 in the British Medical Journal, may be excessive and is controversial. To determine if the efficacy of low-dose acetazolamide 125 mg bd (250 mg), as currently used in the Himalayas, is significantly different from 375 mg bd (750 mg) of acetazolamide in the prevention of AMS, we designed a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The participants were sampled from a diverse population of (non-Nepali) trekkers at Namche Bazaar (3440 m) in Nepal on the Everest trekking route as they ascended to study midpoints (4280 m/4358 m) and the endpoint, Lobuje (4928 m), where data were collected.