L‐tryptophan—associated eosinophilic fasciitis prior to the 1989 eosinophilia—Myalgia syndrome outbreak

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the relationship between L‐tryptophan (LT) ingestion and eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) occurring prior to the outbreak of eosinophiliamyalgia syndrome in 1989. Methods. Interviews and record reviews of 45 EF case‐patients and 126 polymyositis patients (controls) diagnosed prior to 1988. Results. Nine case‐patients (20%) and no controls recalled taking LT before onset of the disease (odds ratio = ∞, 95% confidence interval = 8.3–∞). Among EF case‐patients, LT ingestion was associated with dyspnea. Conclusion. LT ingestion was associated with EF prior to the 1989 outbreak of eosinophilia‐myalgia syndrome. Lung abnormalities may be a distinguishing feature of LT‐mediated illness. Copyright © 1992 American College of Rheumatology