Table 3.

Treatment targets and treatment strategy

Statements	Consensus
Treatment targets	100%
The overall goal is clinical inactive disease within 1 year after initiation of therapy, ideally under a glucocorticoid-free treatment regimen. Under some circumstances, low-dose glucocorticoids or intermittent intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy may be acceptable. The following interim improvementa is targeted: • At least a moderate improvement within 6 weeks after initiation or substantial change in therapy. • At least a major improvement within 3 months after initiation or substantial change in therapy.
General treatment strategy	92%
The consensus treatment strategies for JDM serve to harmonize existing therapies in clinical practice. The treatment strategy generally consists of a treat-to-target strategy, i.e. therapies are modified according to reaching or failing previously established targets. In addition, there is a more intensive first (induction) treatment phase (6–8 weeks) and a less intensive subsequent (maintenance) phase. Components of the initial therapy include glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid-sparing DMARDs.

^a American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria (categories: no, minimal, moderate, major improvement) [34]