[Coexistence of hypothyroidism with polymyositis or dermatomyositis].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Muscle weakness with elevation of muscle enzymes may be a predominant manifestation of many diseases, among them myositis and hypothyroidism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Between 1997 and 2005, polymyositis (PM) or dermatomyositis (DM) was diagnosed in 28 patients (7 males, 21 females) referred to our Department of Rheumatology. Coexistence of hypothyroidism and poly/dermatomyositis was established in seven patients (25%), all of them women. Five of them fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PM, two for DM. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 46.1 years (40-54 years). Four patients were diagnosed with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, in two patients the autoimmune etiology was probable, whereas one patient was diagnosed with hypothyroidism secondary to strumectomy for follicular adenoma. We present and compare signs and symptoms characteristic for hypothyroidism and poly/dermatomyositis. Hypothyroidism may be masked by symptoms of poly/ dermatomyositis especially when the course of myositis is rapid.

RESULTS:

Every patient suspected of poly/dermatomyositis should be tested for thyroid hormone levels to exclude hypothyroidism with muscle weakness arising from the polymyositis-like syndrome or alternatively to confirm the coexistence of hypothyroidism and poly/dermatomyositis.

• Authors: Małgorzata Lukjanowicz, Danuta Bobrowska-Snarska, Marek Brzosko
• Journal: Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis (Ann Acad Med Stetin) Vol. 52 Suppl 2 Pg. 49-55 ( 2006) ISSN: 1427-440X [Print] Poland
• Vernacular Title: Współistnienie niedoczynności tarczycy i zapalenia wielomieśniowego lub skórno-mieśniowego.
• PMID: 17471837 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thyroid Hormones
• Cyclosporine
• Cyclophosphamide
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Adult
• Cyclophosphamide (therapeutic use)
• Cyclosporine (therapeutic use)
• Dermatomyositis (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypothyroidism (drug therapy, etiology)
• Male
• Methotrexate (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Muscle Weakness (drug therapy, etiology)
• Polymyositis (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Thyroid Hormones (therapeutic use)