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. 1988 Apr;47(4):340–343. doi: 10.1136/ard.47.4.340

Polymyositis after propylthiouracil treatment for hyperthyroidism.

W J Shergy 1, D S Caldwell 1
PMCID: PMC1003518  PMID: 3365032

Abstract

An additional disorder in the spectrum of thyroid related muscle disease is presented. Hypothyroid and hyperthyroid disease are both associated with a variety of muscle abnormalities, from myalgias to myopathy. Polymyositis, however, has never been reported immediately after treatment for active hyperthyroidism. A patient is presented with typical hyperthyroidism, who developed a severe proximal muscle weakness and a raised creatine phosphokinase after treatment for hyperthyroidism with propylthiouracil (100 mg orally, three times a day). Electromyography, muscle biopsy, and the course of the patient's illness were consistent with polymyositis. Whether this represents a cause-effect association or a chance occurrence is unknown. Physician awareness of the occurrence of a variety of muscle disorders including polymyositis in thyroid disease is emphasised. A brief discussion of thyroid myopathy, thionamide drug reactions, and polymyositis is included.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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