High incidence of acute myositis with type A influenza virus infection in the elderly

Intern Med. 2000 May;39(5):431-2. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.39.431.

Abstract

We describe six elderly cases of acute myositis with type A influenza virus infection (Sydney) during the 1998-1999 outbreak. All six cases suffered from myalgia or muscle weakness especially in the lower extremities and the serum creatine kinase (CK) values were elevated above 1,000 IU/l without MB isoenzymes or electrocardiogram abnormalities. There have been a few case reports of acute myositis associated with influenza virus infection in the elderly. However, we noticed a high incidence of acute myositis among elderly patients with type A influenza virus infection. This complication may occur more commonly in elderly patients than has previously been thought.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus*
  • Influenza, Human / complications*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Male
  • Myositis / etiology*
  • Tokyo / epidemiology