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Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome

Tae K Kim, MD and Gemma Kim Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) is a rare syndrome presenting acutely with severe myalgia and elevated eosinophil count, with the subsequent development of chronic musculoskeleta...

DIAGNOSIS

  • The CDC criteria for the syndrome include all of the following:

    • Incapacitating myalgias

    • Blood eosinophil count >1 times 1,000/μL (but may be >10 times this level)

    • No evidence of infection...

TREATMENT

  • There is no specific treatment for EMS. Care is supportive.

  • There is no evidence to support the use of prednisone or other steroids. Although steroids may reduce inflammation, they have not b...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patients may require close monitoring by a primary care physician. Patients may need prolonged rehabilitation services, in-home nursing care, and in severe cases,...

REFERENCES

1
Hertzman  PA, Blevins  WL, Mayer  J, et al. Association of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome with the ingestion of tryptophan. N Engl J Med. ...

CODES

ICD10

M35.8 Other specified systemic involvement of connective tissue 

SNOMED

  • 95416007 Eosinophilia myalgia syndrome

  • 403735006 Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome from tryptophan (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Ask all patients about their use of over-the-counter vitamins and supplements.

  • If suspecting EMS, first check a CBC for a markedly elevated absolute eosinophil count.

  • Steroids have no ro...

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