POLYARTHRALGIA DISCLOSING HYPERTHYROIDISM REPORT OF 2 CASES

BACKGROUND: We report two cases of rheumatism associated with hyperthy roidism. In both cases, arthralgia totally regressed after thyroid tre atment. REPORTS: Two 79-year-old and 59-year-old women developed manif estations of polymyalgia rheumatica and psoriasis arthritis respective ly. Corticosteroid therapy was ineffective and followed by manifestati ons of hyperthyroidism. The first patient was treated with carbimazole and the second with thyroidectomy. Once the hyperthyroidism was contr olled, both patients experienced a dramatically rapid cure of their ar thralgias. DISCUSSION: Scalpulo-humeral periarthritis is the main arti cular complication of hyperthyroidism. True manifestations of ''thyrot oxicosis rheumatism'' are unusual and may be [inked with a direct toxi city of the thyroid hormones on joint cartilage or with an autoimmune manifestation of hyperthyroidism.