title: Tachyphylaxis of intravenous immunoglobulin in refractory inflammatory myopathy.
abstract: We describe 2 patients with refractory inflammatory myositis who had an initial favorable response to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. In contrast to all other reported cases, our patients reached a nadir in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels at 6 and 14 weeks after initiation of therapy, respectively, then experienced a relentless rise in CPK levels as well as a return of muscle weakness while still receiving IVIG. While IVIG may benefit some patients with refractory myositis, future studies must address the sustained efficacy of this agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Reimold
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Weinblatt
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D009220:Myositis / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D013618:Tachyphylaxis
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous