L-tryptophan-associated eosinophilic fasciitis prior to the 1989 eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome outbreak.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between L-tryptophan (LT) ingestion and eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) occurring prior to the outbreak of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome in 1989.


METHODS
Interviews and record reviews of 45 EF case-patients and 126 polymyositis patients (controls) diagnosed prior to 1988.


RESULTS
Nine case-patients (20%) and no controls recalled taking LT before onset of the disease (odds ratio = infinity, 95% confidence interval = 8.3-infinity). Among EF case-patients, LT ingestion was associated with dyspnea.


CONCLUSIONS
LT ingestion was associated with EF prior to the 1989 outbreak of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Lung abnormalities may be a distinguishing feature of LT-mediated illness.
Hibbs
J R
JR
NHLBI/CHB, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Mittleman
B
B
Hill
P
P
Medsger
T A
TA
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016603:Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009220:Myositis / Q000175:diagnosis; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014364:Tryptophan