Polymyositis, COVID-19 and Rectal Carcinoma: A Rare Case Presentation

Abstract

Association of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) with malignancy has been well recognized for a long time. However, its association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is rare. Here we report a case of a 73-year-old male under treatment for rectal carcinoma who was admitted for mild COVID-19. He developed progressive bilateral upper and lower limb weakness which was finally diagnosed as polymyositis. He was given high-dose steroid along with methotrexate to which he responded very well. This case highlights the fact that inflammatory myopathy should be suspected in elderly patients who present with generalized weakness especially in the background of malignancy. The association of COV-ID-19 with myositis needs further studies.