title: Graft-versus-host disease-related polymyositis.
abstract: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) sometimes mimics autoimmune diseases. We report the case of a 39-year-old patient who presented atypical polymyositis without elevated creatinine phosphokinase, related to a chronic GVHD following interruption of immunosuppressive treatment. Treatment with cyclosporine and corticosteroids resulted in complete and sustained remission of the polymyositis. The symptoms of chronic GVHD-related polymyositis are indistinguishable from those of idiopathic polymyositis. The context of transplantation and a decrease or interruption of prophylaxis suggest the diagnosis of GVHD-related polymyositis, especially if other manifestations of GVHD are associated. A suitably adapted treatment (association of corticotherapy and cyclosporine) improves polymyositis, and in most cases, a normal clinical state is achieved even if the symptoms were severe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Regional University Hospital-Claude Huriez Hospital, Lille, France. helene.maillard@chru-lille.fr
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maillard-Lefebvre
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morell-Dubois
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Hilaire
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Charlanne
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Launay
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hachulla
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yakoub-Agh
authors.forename: Pierre-Yves
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Hatron
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine