Severe statin-induced autoimmune myopathy successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin

Abstract

Statin-induced autoimmune necrotising myopathy causes a severe progressive muscle weakness even when the statins are discontinued. First-line treatment is usually with high dose steroids followed by immunosuppressants, but this is often ineffective and there is a high risk of side effects. We describe a diabetic patient who had a very severe statin-induced autoimmune myopathy. He made a full recovery with regular intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) infusion in relatively low dose (55 g the first day followed by 50 g/day the second and third day, subsequently he was given 50 g/day for 3 days every 6 weeks). His symptoms relapsed when the IVIgs were discontinued for 28 weeks but remitted again following recommencement of IVIg infusions (50 g/day for 3 days every 7 weeks). Our case suggests IVIgs are an effective and well tolerated alternative to steroids and immunosuppressants.