Polymyalgia rheumatica and type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with electromyographic abnormalities that responded well to corticosteroid therapy

Intern Med. 2000 Dec;39(12):1123-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.39.1123.

Abstract

A 62-year-old man who had a 14-year history of diabetes complained of low-grade fever, general malaise, pain of bilateral femurs and hip girdle, and was adniitted to our hospital. The diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) was made from the clinical symptoms, elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Electromyography revealed abnormalities that suggested diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, the abnormalities were improved after starting treatment with corticosteroids (PSL). After stopping PSL, electric nerve conduction disturbance developed; therefore, it was suggested that peripheral nerve involvement due to PMR was improved by administration of PSL regardless of the existence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / complications*
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / diagnosis
  • Electromyography*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / complications*
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / drug therapy
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Prednisolone