[Quinidine-induced rheumatic toxicity]

2 women with quinidine-induced lupus are presented. This condition is rare; only about 30 cases have been reported in the English literature. Both our patients had arthritis of the wrist, antinuclear antibodies with homogenous pattern and elevated ESR. Anti-double stranded DNA antibodies were present in 1 patient, and a petechial rash in the other. Complete resolution of arthritis occurred within a few days after quinidine withdrawal, but antinuclear antibodies persisted for several months.