Chronicity of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. A reassessment after three years.
OBJECTIVE
To define the natural history and outcome of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) among a cohort of patients followed up at one center since the onset of their disease.


METHODS
Fifty-seven patients with well-characterized EMS were evaluated prospectively at a university hospital for 21-64 months (mean 36 months).


RESULTS
Eighty-eight percent of the patients continue to have symptomatic disease with > 3 clinical manifestations. Fatigue (91%), muscle cramping (75%), myalgia (70%), paresthesias with objectively demonstrated hypesthesias (62%), articular symptoms (54%), scleroderma-like skin changes (44%), and proximal muscle weakness (40%) are the most common features of chronic EMS. New findings identified among this cohort include cognitive symptoms in 86% of the study group, tremor, and myoclonus.


CONCLUSIONS
The recognition of new manifestations in EMS and ongoing clinical disease in 88% of patients highlights the chronic nature of this disorder. Continued prospective followup of a large patient base is warranted to further define the natural history of this newly recognized illness.
Kaufman
L D
LD
Division of Allergy, Rheumatology, and Clinical Immunology, State University of New York at Stony Brook 11794-8161.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D016603:Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013997:Time Factors