Rituximab Therapy in Polymyositis-associated Severe Dysphagia: A Case Report

Polymyositis is one of the inflammatory myopathies. It a chronic autoimmune disease that usually involves proximal muscles. caused by an infiltrate skeletal muscle. Notably, dysphagia occurs in one-third patients. Traditional treatment with steroids and immune modulators has been reported to have varied outcomes recurrent symptomatic flares. The which such myopathies may be severe symptoms myopathies, often associated considerable mortality morbidity. Dysphagia, often-noted clinical presentation polymyositis (PM) /dermatomyositis (DM) can initial sign idiopathic cause morbidity patients as reduced pharyngeal contractility, hypomotility esophagus, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, decreased laryngeal elevation. Here case patient muscle skin involvement PM. Steroids are first line for myositis same was adopted initially current case. Rituximab used after unsuccessful attempts other recommended first-line treatments. Reversal overall improvement were achieved use rituximab intravenous immunoglobulins. demonstrated significant swallowing, reasonable improvement, following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube removed. After 15 months, showed 100% resolution all advised stop medications. Therefore, we suggest this combination considered cases flares DM, where traditional options shown no benefit.