title: Mycophenolate mofetil in the therapy of polymyositis associated with a polyautoimmune syndrome.
abstract: Mycophenolate mofetil 1.5 g daily (30 mg/kg body weight) was given to a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, and severe refractory polymyositis after conventional treatment regimes had failed. No severe side effects occurred. Considerable improvement of clinical symptoms and electromyographic findings were seen within 6 months after the initiation of mycophenolate mofetil, allowing for tapering and discontinuation of methylprednisolone. Mycophenolate mofetil may be considered as an useful alternative in the treatment of polymyositis when standard therapeutic regimens fail.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Group for Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 11, 97080 Würzburg, Germany. chris.schneider@mail.uni-wuerburg.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schäfers
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Toyka
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000150:complications; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019233:Retreatment; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D008775:Methylprednisolone