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Polymyositis associated with nephrotic syndrome

Abstracts

Polymyositis (PM) is a systemic disease of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathy group, clinically characterized by symmetric and proximal muscle weakness. There are reports in literature of PM associated with malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. However, the association between PM and nephropathy is not common. We describe a case report of a patient with polymyositis who developed nephrotic syndrome due to mesangial glomerulonephritis

polymyositis; nephrotic syndrome; myositis


A polimiosite (PM) é uma doença sistêmica do grupo das miopatias inflamatórias idiopáticas, clinicamente caracterizada por fraqueza muscular proximal e simétrica. Há relatos na literatura de PM associada a neoplasias, doenças autoimunes e infecções virais. Entretanto, a associação entre PM e nefropatia não é frequente. Descrevemos o caso de um paciente com polimiosite que evoluiu com síndrome nefrótica devido à presença de glomerulonefrite mesangial

polimiosite; síndrome nefrótica; miosite


CASE REPORT

IResident in Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil

IIAssistant Professor of Clinical Medicine - Rheumatology Module, Universidade Federal de Sergipe

IIIAssociate Professor of Pathology, Universidade Federal de Sergipe

Correspondence to

ABSTRACT

Polymyositis (PM) is a systemic disease of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathy group, clinically characterized by symmetric and proximal muscle weakness. There are reports in literature of PM associated with malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. However, the association between PM and nephropathy is not common. We describe a case report of a patient with polymyositis who developed nephrotic syndrome due to mesangial glomerulonephritis.

Keywords: polymyositis, nephrotic syndrome, myositis.

INTRODUCTION

Polymyositis (PM) is defined as an idiopathic myopathy with evolution period of weeks to months and having as its main feature the development of nonsuppurative inflammation in skeletal muscles, which is clinically manifested by symmetric and proximal muscle weakness. Its incidence is approximately one case per 100,000 inhabitants, predominantly in women.1, 2

Progressive muscle weakness is usually the first symptom presented and its subacute character is associated with delays in seeking medical attention by patients; more rarely, the disease may manifest acutely, followed by rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria.3,4

Affected patients report difficulty in daily tasks requiring the use of proximal muscles, such as climbing stairs, climb the sidewalk curb, lifting objects, or combing their hair. The skeletal muscles of the posterior pharyngeal wall and proximal third of the esophagus are often compromised, leading to dysphagia and choking. Constitutional symptoms may be present and include fatigue, appetite loss, weight loss, arthralgia, or arthritis affecting small and medium joints.1-3

PM can occur alone or be associated with systemic autoimmune diseases and viral infections, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, HIV infection, and HTLV.56 However, renal involvement in PM is not common.78 We report the case of a 37-year-old patient who developed anasarca and renal injury, as detected by biopsy.

CASE REPORT

A male patient, 37 years old, was admitted with signs of anasarca, progressive muscle weakness, dysphagia to solids, and development of asthenia for 45 days. The patient reported a weight gain of 15 kg during this period. On physical examination, he was afebrile, hydrated, ruddy, and anicteric; respiratory and cardiac auscultation presented no changes; abdomen was soft, tender, and sensitive to palpation in epigastrium, with edema of the wall, without visceromegaly; oral cavity and skin presented no lesions; the patient had important edema in both lower and upper limbs (Figure 1). Neurological examination showed no change in cranial nerves; symmetric reflexes; superficial and deep sensitivity preserved; and muscle strength grade II, with proximal muscular weakness. Initial tests revealed CPK 15.969 U/L (normal up to 232 U/L), GOT 1.356 U/L (normal up to 37 U/L), GPT 519 U/L (normal up to 65 U/L), albumin 1.2 g/dL (normal up to 3.4 to 5.0 g/dL), and LDH 1.551 U/L (normal up to 190 U/L). Total cholesterol was 143 mg/dL (0-200 mg/dL), with LDL 91.4 mg/dL (0-100 mg/ dL), HDL 18 mg/dL (35-60 mg/dL), and triglycerides 168 mg/dL (30-150 mg/dL). Blood count at admission showed mild normochromic normocytic anemia (hemoglobin 11.8 g/ dL) and leukocytosis of 18,900 cells/mm3, 85% segmented. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 38 mm3 (normal up to 15), positive PCR (qualitative determination), ANA (HEp-2) was 1/160 (normal up to 1/40), with fibrillar cytoplasmic pattern. Deltoid muscle biopsy revealed chronic interstitial and endomysial lymphomononuclear inflammatory reaction (Figure 2A), with areas of fibrosis, presence of necrotic muscle fibers, and muscle fibers with frequent regenerative changes (Figure 2B); histological picture compatible with inflammatory myopathy. Considering the clinical and laboratory findings, the diagnosis of polymiosytis was made and treatment initiated with prednisone (1 mg/kg/day). During hospitalization, the patient underwent pulse therapy with methylprednisolone (1 g/day) for three days.




Urine sediment analysis showed proteins and red blood cells (++); 24-hour proteinuria was 3,771 mg (20-150 mg). The presence of these findings on urinalysis associated with the problem of anasarca and hypoalbuminemia led to renal biopsy, which revealed diffuse mesangial expansion (mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis) and tubular atrophy with focal mild interstitial fibrosis. After 55 day sof hospitalization, the patient was discharged, his general condition was good, although he still had difficulty walking, had proximal muscle weakness but without dysphagia, and significant improvement of the anasarca. CPK was markedly reduced - the result at discharge was 663 U/L. He continues as an outpatient at the Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Sergipe, taking prednisone and participating in a program of monthly pulse therapy with cyclophosphamide, due to the persistence of myopathic and renal involvement.

DISCUSSION

The association of polymyositis with renal disease has been reported in literature both as acute renal failure, due to rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria, and associated with glomerulonephritis.4.8-12 This relationship between idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and nephropathy is not frequent, although Yen et al.4 have found some degree of hematuria and proteinuria in 14 of 65 patients (21.5%) with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (DM).

The glomerular lesion most commonly associated with PM is mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis,9,11 which is consistent with our report and the study by Valenzuela et al.10 However, there are reports on patients with PM who developed rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.12

Nephrotic syndrome associated with PM is rare, with few cases reported in literature. In the study by Pasquali et al.,8 of the eight patients with polymyositis, only one presented with nephrotic syndrome. On the other hand, there are reports on patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (DM, PM) who developed anasarca not related to nephrotic syndrome.13,14 Gorelik et al.,15 for example, found seven cases of DM and PM related to anasarca in adult males, as described in the episode, and they also reported dysphagia in four of these patients. However, none of these patients progressed to nephrotic syndrome.

The interesting aspect of this case is the association between polymyositis, anasarca, and nephrotic syndrome, unlike other reports in literature. The clinical and laboratory findings of generalized edema, major muscle weakness, and very high elevations of CPK(15,969 U/L) suggested the presence of muscle mass destruction. However, it is noteworthy that the patient had no renal function deterioration at any time. Despite the good initial response to therapy, the clinical course of this patient is uncertain, since there are few cases in literature.

REFERENCES

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    Dalakas MC, Hohlfeld R. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Lancet 2003; 362:971-82.
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    Dalakas MC. Polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inclusion-body myositis. N Eng J Med 1991; 325:1498.
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    Stefanidis I, Giannopoulou M, Liakopoulos V, Dovas S, Karasavvidou F, Zachou K et al A case of membranous nephropathy associated with Sjögren syndrome, polymyositis and autoimmune hepatitis. Clin Nephrol 2008; 70:245-50.
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    Pasquali JL, Meyer P, Christman D, Picard A, Grosshans E, Storck D. Renal manifestations in dermatomyositis and polymyositis. Ann Med Interne 1987; 138:109-13.
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    Takizawa Y, Kanda H, Sato K, Kawahata K, Yamaguchi A, Uozaki H et al Polymyositis associated with focal mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with depositions of immune complexes. Clin Rheumatol 2007; 26:792-6.
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    Frost NA, Morand EF, Hall CL, Maddison PJ, Bhalla AK. Polymyositis complicated by arthritis and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis: case report and review of the literature. Br J Rheumatol 1993; 32:929-31.
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    Tsunemi M, Ishimura E, Tsumura K, Shoji S, Sugimura S, Nishizawa Y et al A case of crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with polymyositis. Nephron 1993; 64:488-9.
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    Zedan M, El-Ayouty M, Abdel-Hady H, Shouman B, El-Assmy M, Fouda A. Anasarca: not a nephrotic syndrome but dermatomyositis. Eur J Pediatr 2008; 167:831-4.
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    Andonopoulos AP, Gogos CA, Tzanakakis G. Subcutaneous edema: an "unrecognized" feature of acute polymyositis. Rheumatol Int 1993; 13:159-61.
  • 15
    Gorelik O, Almoznino-Sarafian D, Alon I, Rapoport MJ, Goltsman G, Herbert M et al Acute inflammatory myopathy with severe subcutaneous edema, a new variant? Report of two cases and review of the literature. Rheumatol Int 2001; 20:163-6.
  • Polymyositis associated with nephrotic syndrome

    Renato Oliveira FreireI; José Caetano MacieiraII; Hugo Leite de Farias BritoIII
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      08 Sept 2010
    • Date of issue
      Aug 2010

    History

    • Received
      22 Jan 2010
    • Accepted
      24 Apr 2010
    Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia Av Brigadeiro Luiz Antonio, 2466 - Cj 93., 01402-000 São Paulo - SP, Tel./Fax: 55 11 3289 7165 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
    E-mail: sbre@terra.com.br