Polymyositis in a patient with sickle cell anaemia

ABSTRACT

An unusual case of a 43 year old woman with sickle cell anaemia occcuring together with polymyositis is reported. The white blood cell count, serum creatinine phosphoskinase and lactate dehydrogenase were all increased. ANF and anti-DNA antibody were absent and rheumatoid factor titer was 120. Electromyogram resting activity showed negative sharp waves and fibrillation potential and left quadriceps muscle biopsy showed multiple foci of mononuclear cell infiltrates with fibre necrosis and phagocytosis. Blood vessels were normal with no evidence of thrombosis or obstruction by sickle cells. These findings were consistent with polymyositis of unknown aetiology which occurred together with sickle cell anaemia