Polymyositis associated with hepatitis B: management with entacavir and prednisolone.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Abstract
We report a 57-year-old woman with a 20-year history of hepatitis B presenting with progressive proximal lower limb weakness for the previous 1 month. Previous medical history included a pericardial and pleural effusion, of which no cause was found and pulmonary tuberculosis which has been adequately treated. Examination revealed multiple telangiactasia over face and nail beds and bilateral proximal lower limb weakness of power 4/5. Biochemical investigation revealed a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 36 mm/h, elevated creatinine kinase levels (14 363 IU/L) and raised liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase 445 IU/L, aspartate aminotransferase 606 IU/L) with high hepatitis B virus DNA (1 021 158 copies/mL). Nerve conduction tests and muscle biopsy were consistent with polymyositis. She received entacavir for hepatitis B treatment. Despite treatment with entacavir for 10 weeks, her weakness persisted and prednisolone was added. Upon commencement of prednisolone, her symptoms and biochemical profiles returned to normal.
Keywords
Hepatitis B
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
Volume
14
Issue
3
Publisher
Blackwell Pub
Additional Information
Department of Internal Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur and Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Malaya,