title: An unexpected side-effect of a commonly used drug.
abstract: We report a case of a 68 year-old-female patient with clinical features of drug-induced lupus erythematosus after five years of treatment with amiodarone. She presented generalized skin rash, arthralgia on upper and lower extremities, associated with difficulty to walk. Remarkable laboratory results revealed a positive antinuclear antibody test and a skin rash biopsy showing a superficial and deep perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and eosinophils. Once the etiology of the patient's symptoms was identified, the culprit drug was removed and she had a complete remission of all signs and symptoms. Early diagnose should be recognized for prompt intervention and avoid further complications associated with this rare side-effect.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department San Juan City Hospital, San Juan Puerto Rico. frank1298@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernández González
authors.forename: Samayra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santiago Casiano
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nieves
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adorno
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernández González
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000209:etiology; D001706:Biopsy; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D057915:Drug Substitution; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications; D005076:Exanthema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000638:Amiodarone; D008775:Methylprednisolone