Graft-versus-host disease-related polymyositis.

Abstract

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) sometimes mimics autoimmune diseases. We report the case of a 39-year-old patient who presented atypical polymyositis without elevated creatinine phosphokinase, related to a chronic GVHD following interruption of immunosuppressive treatment. Treatment with cyclosporine and corticosteroids resulted in complete and sustained remission of the polymyositis. The symptoms of chronic GVHD-related polymyositis are indistinguishable from those of idiopathic polymyositis. The context of transplantation and a decrease or interruption of prophylaxis suggest the diagnosis of GVHD-related polymyositis, especially if other manifestations of GVHD are associated. A suitably adapted treatment (association of corticotherapy and cyclosporine) improves polymyositis, and in most cases, a normal clinical state is achieved even if the symptoms were severe.

• Authors: Helene Maillard-Lefebvre, Sandrine Morell-Dubois, Marc Lambert, Hilaire Charlanne, David Launay, Eric Hachulla, Ibrahim Yakoub-Agh, Pierre-Yves Hatron
• Journal: Clinical rheumatology (Clin Rheumatol) Vol. 29 Issue 4 Pg. 431-33 (Apr 2010) ISSN: 1434-9949 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 20069327 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Cyclosporine

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Cyclosporine (therapeutic use)
• Graft vs Host Disease (complications)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Polymyositis (drug therapy, etiology, immunology)