Polyarteritis nodosa and drug abuse: is there a connection?. Issue 853 (November 1996)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Samuels, N.; Shemesh, O.; Yinnon, A. M.; Fisher, D.; Abraham, A. S.
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 72:Issue 853(1996)
• Page Start: 684
• Page End: 685
• Publication Date: 1996-11
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.72.853.684
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : Drug abuse has been controversially linked to polyarteritis nodosa. A 28-year-old man with a history of drug abuse with inhaled heroin presented with an enigmatic illness consisting of refractory fever, bilateral pleural effusions, migratory polyarthritis, and a leukaemoid reaction. An abdominal angiography confirmed the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa, and treatment with both prednisone and cyclophosphamide resulted in significant clinical and laboratory improvement.