Rituximab and mycophenolate combination therapy in refractory dermatomyositis with multiple autoimmune disorders

J Clin Neuromuscul Dis. 2011 Dec;13(2):63-7. doi: 10.1097/CND.0b013e318221259d.

Abstract

We report a case of dermatomyositis associated with rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and diabetes mellitus responsive only to combination of rituximab with mycophenolate. A 42-year-old woman presented with proximal muscle weakness, myalgias, fever, night sweats, and shortness of breath. Creatinine kinase was 8155 IU/L, and muscle biopsy was diagnostic of dermatomyositis. She was started on glucocorticoids; her systemic symptoms improved, but her muscle weakness persisted. She was serially treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, azathioprine, and mycophenolate mofetil without improvement in her weakness. She responded dramatically to combination therapy with rituximab and mycophenolate, with improvement in strength and normalization of creatinine kinase. She has been well controlled on rituximab infusion every 6 months and maintenance mycophenolate mofetil.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / administration & dosage*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Dermatomyositis / complications*
  • Dermatomyositis / drug therapy*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Female
  • Hashimoto Disease / complications
  • Hashimoto Disease / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Mycophenolic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Rituximab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Rituximab
  • Mycophenolic Acid