When polymyositis meets Graves' disease: A rare case report
S T Chai1, Y S Lim2, H N Achok2
1Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Department of Medicine, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. chaishuteng@gmail.com.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
|November 22, 2021
Summary
Graves' disease can rarely present with polymyositis, an inflammatory muscle disease. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are crucial for managing this rare association.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder, typically affects the thyroid gland.
- Polymyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by symmetrical proximal muscle weakness.
Observation:
- A young woman with Graves' disease presented with progressive proximal muscle weakness and elevated creatine kinase.
- Initial treatment for presumed thyrotoxic myopathy provided only transient improvement.
Findings:
- A subsequent relapse led to a diagnosis of polymyositis, confirmed by clinical, electrophysiological, and biochemical findings.
- The patient responded well to corticosteroids and azathioprine, indicating an autoimmune inflammatory myopathy.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering polymyositis in patients with Graves' disease experiencing unexplained myopathy.
- Early recognition and appropriate immunosuppressive therapy are essential for managing this rare co-occurrence.
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