Speth reports no competing interests. methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulse therapy, and 21%/40% for conventional high-dose oral glucocorticoids. Methotrexate (MTX) was the preferred disease-modifying conventional anti-rheumatic drug (cDMARD) for moderate and severe JDM. Regarding the management of refractory moderate or severe JDM, intravenous immune globulins, mycophenolate mofetil and rituximab were preferred treatment options. == Conclusion == There is consensus about the diagnosis of JDM strongly supported by classic clinical and MRI findings. There is great variety in the treatment of JDM in Germany regarding both induction and maintenance therapy. The development of consensus-based treatment strategies for JDM based on harmonization of current clinical practice is essential in order to allow comparative effectiveness research in the future. == Electronic supplementary material == The online version of this article (10.1186/s12969-018-0256-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Keywords:Dermatomyositis, Surveys and questionnaires, Practice patterns, Physicians, Glucocorticoids, Methotrexate, Antirheumatic agents, Immunoglobulins, Intravenous == Background == Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is the most common inflammatory myopathy of childhood [1]. Even though it is a rare condition, it is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with pediatric rheumatic diseases [2,3]. The Bohan-Peter diagnostic criteria for dermatomyositis (DM) exist for more than 40 years, and those criteria are also often used to diagnose JDM [4]. Several other diagnostic modalities are employed by physicians to diagnose and monitor JDM, including for example, imaging studies and various laboratory markers [5]. Surveys performed in North America demonstrated a high variability in the management of JDM [6]. A European initiative resulted in international consensus-based recommendations and treatment protocols [7,8]. Currently, it is unclear if practice patterns in Germany vary from those in North America or other countries, so that additional data are desired. The PRO-KIND (PROjekte zur Klassifikation, berwachung und Therapie in der KINDerrheumatologie; projects for the classification, monitoring and therapy in pediatric rheumatology) initiative is definitely a sub-committee of the Society for Pediatric Rheumatology (Gesellschaft fr Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie, GKJR) and seeks to define consensus-based protocols to harmonize diagnostic and treatment methods in Germany. International attempts are currently made to set up disease specific registries for pediatric individuals with inflammatory myopathies [9,10]. However, a German registry sufficiently recording medical practice and treatment of JDM does not currently exist. The goal of the PRO-KIND operating group on JDM was to identify current practice patterns in Germany via an online survey among pediatric rheumatologists and pediatric neurologists and consequently to harmonize recognized patterns. This manuscript reports on a survey concerning the current practice in diagnosing and controlling JDM in Germany. == Methods == == Study population == The online Tazemetostat hydrobromide survey was tackled to all 229 members of the German Society of Pediatric Rheumatology (GKJR) via e-mail with personal invitations to the address available via the societys regular membership database. In addition, pediatric neurologists were invited via the website of the German Society for Pediatric Neurology (GNP). == Instrument == It was estimated that a survey designed to take 3045 min Tazemetostat hydrobromide Tazemetostat hydrobromide to total would be suitable to participants in the survey. The authors C.H., F.S. and P.O. opted to develop a survey consisting of 5 case scenarios (23 questions) with the option to extend the survey for an additional case scenario dealing with the issue of dystrophic calcification (9 questions). The survey specifically tackled (1) initial diagnostic measures taken in a patient with probable JDM, making the analysis of moderate JDM and initial treatment methods (10 questions), (2) maintenance treatment in individuals with moderate JDM (6 questions), (3) treatment Tazemetostat hydrobromide of refractory moderate JDM (3 questions), (4) treatment of glucocorticoid-dependent moderate JDM (1 query), (5) initial treatment of severe JDM and treatment of refractory severe JDM (3 questions), and, optionally, (6) management of Tazemetostat hydrobromide dystrophic calcification (9 questions) (Additional file1). Some of the questions were Rabbit polyclonal to ARFIP2 multiple choice questions, select everything apply questions (both with the option to add free text) and some required grading.