Myasthenia gravis and scleroderma.
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that is associated with antibodies to acetylcholine receptors. It is associated with other autoimmune diseases such as thyroiditis (10%), systemic lupus erythematosus (2-8%), rheumatoid arthritis (4-7%), Sjögren's syndrome and polymyositis. It is not commonly found with scleroderma. We describe a case of scleroderma developing in a patient 6 years after the onset of myasthenia gravis. HLA-B8/DR3 may play a role in the association of the 2 conditions.
Bhalla
R
R
Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612.
Swedler
W I
WI
Lazarevic
M B
MB
Ajmani
H S
HS
Skosey
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide; D011241:Prednisone