Intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide therapy in myositis and Sjogren's syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome is a disorder characterized by rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease), xerostomia (dryness of the mouth), and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (congestion and dryness of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eye and lids). This syndrome usually develops in postmenopausal women and is thought to be a disease of collagen, a structural fiber-like protein. Patients with Sjogren's syndrome may develop myositis, inflammation of the muscle tissue. A case is described of a 65-year-old woman with Sjogren's syndrome and myositis, who responded to treatment with the drug cyclophosphamide, which was given intravenously in pulse doses. The patient developed inflammation, pain, and weakness of the muscle three years after the onset of symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Microscopic tissue examination of the muscle revealed several abnormalities, including muscle tissue death, ingestion of muscle fibers by phagocytic cells, and some degree of muscle regeneration. Treatment with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide resulted in reduction of symptoms, as indicated by clinical, biochemical, and tissue tests. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)