Mushroom supplements triggering a flare of HMGCR immune mediated necrotising myopathy
Brittany L. Adler, Lisa Christopher‐Stine, Eleni Tiniakou
Abstract
Hydroxyl-methyl-glutaryl-Co-A reductase (HMGCR) immune mediated necrotising myopathy (IMNM) is a rare autoimmune myositis that is thought to be triggered by statins and responds to immunomodulation. We report a case of a woman in her 30s with HMGCR IMNM without a history of statin exposure who had a clear flare of her myositis after beginning mushroom supplements. Mushrooms are natural HMGCR inhibitors, and this is the first case to demonstrate a flare triggered by mushrooms in a patient with known HMGCR IMNM. This case highlights the importance of reviewing diet and supplements in patients with IMNM. It also emphasises the importance of strict statin avoidance for patients with IMNM even when the myositis is under good control.