Abstract
Polymyositis associated with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis, with complex of creatine kinase (CK) and immunoglobulin A-λ is reported. A 44-year-old female was seen to this hospital in December 1988. She complained of proximal muscle weakness and liver dysfunction. CK and aldolase levels were high and EMG examination revealed myogenic changes. She was admitted in March 1989. Anti mitochondria antibody level was very high and the liver biopsy showed chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis. She had no history of icterus and pruritus. She was diagnosed as polymyositis associated with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis. CK isoenzyme electrophoresis revealed an extraband between MB and MM. Further studies showed the existence of complex of CK and immunoglobulin A-λ. She was treated with prednisolone 50 mg/day. Muscle weak-ness gradually improved and she was able to stand up by herself after a month. The extraband on CK isoenzyme electrophoresis also disappeared. Polymyositis associated with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis is rare and is regarded as an interesting case.
