Clinical analysis of patients with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome

Abstract

Objective To analyze clinical features of patients with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS).Methods Clinical manifestations,response to treatment and prognosis of 89 cases with eosinophilia hospitalized at Peking Union Medical College Hospital(PUMCH)during the past nine years were analyzed retrospectively,including four cases conformed with the diagnostic criteria for EMS set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the US.Results Infection,tumor and other diseases that could cause increased eosinophil count were excluded in all but four cases,with all female,average age of 48.8 years,and mean count of eosinophil of 42.75 percent of blood cells.Multi-organs and systems were involved in the patients,with the most common clinical manifestations of myalgia,skin rash,joint swelling,arthralgias,respiratory symptoms and paresthesia.Patients responded well to prednisone at acute phase of illness,but prognosis was poor as severe pulmonary hypertension occurred.Occurrence of EMS closely associated with environmental factors and special attention should be paid to patient's history of medication and diet in its diagnosis.Conclusion EMS is characterized by the increasing of eosinophils and myalgia,while multi-organs and systems were involved.Glucocorticoid plays an important role in the treatment at acute phase of illness. Key words: Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome; Signs and symptoms; Therapy; Prognosis