PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Shergy, W J
AU  - Caldwell, D S
TI  - Polymyositis after propylthiouracil treatment for hyperthyroidism.
AID  - 10.1136/ard.47.4.340
DP  - 1988 Apr 01
TA  - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
PG  - 340--343
VI  - 47
IP  - 4
4099  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/47/4/340.short
4100  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/47/4/340.full
SO  - Ann Rheum Dis1988 Apr 01; 47
AB  - 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.