Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and fibromyalgia symptoms.
We report the case of a 29-year old female nurse with a five-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involving multiple systems and on chronic prednisone therapy. This patient has a coexisting diagnosis of fibromyalgia fulfilling ACR criteria. A recent deterioration in her level of functioning in addition to a flare of her inflammatory disease led to further evaluation. During the course of investigation an anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody was found to be present and significantly elevated. A therapeutic trial of baclofen did result in improvement of her subjective myalgias. We raise the possibility of an autoimmune contribution to myalgic symptoms in a portion of SLE patients.
Taylor-Gjevre
R M
RM
Division of Rheumatology, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. r.gjevre@usask.ca
Gjevre
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001418:Baclofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D018755:GABA Agonists; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase; D001418:Baclofen