J Rheum Dis.  2018 Jul;25(3):203-206. 10.4078/jrd.2018.25.3.203.

Case of Raynaud Syndrome after the Use of Methimazole

• Kim Y
• Tag HS
• Kim GT
• Lee SG
• Park EK
• Park JH
• Kweon SM
• Yang SI
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2415609
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2018.25.3.203

Abstract

Raynaud syndrome is a medical condition that causes pain, numbness, and changes in skin color at the distal extremities. Raynaud syndrome can be subdivided into primary Raynaud's and secondary Raynaud's. The former is diagnosed when the cause is unknown and the latter is caused by an underlying condition, such as connective tissue diseases, injury, smoking, or certain medications. Both cancer chemotherapy and β-blockers are relatively common causes of Raynaud syndrome but there are no reports of its association with methimazole administration. The authors encountered a 43-year old woman with hyperthyroidism who developed digital ulcers associated with Raynaud syndrome after a methimazole treatment. Her digital ulcers and Raynaud syndrome were improved after methimazole was replaced with propylthiouracil and conventional therapy. This paper reports this case along with a review of the relevant literature.

Keyword

Methimazole; Raynaud syndrome; Ulcer

MeSH Terms

Connective Tissue Diseases
Drug Therapy
Extremities
Female
Humans
Hyperthyroidism
Hypesthesia
Methimazole*
Propylthiouracil
Skin Pigmentation
Smoke
Smoking
Ulcer
Methimazole
Propylthiouracil
Smoke

Figure

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  Figure 1 Change in patient's finger lesion. (A~C) First visit, (D~F) after 3 months, (G~I) after 8 months. Arrow: digital ulcer, Arrow head: small infarction.

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