Disease associations, particularly for the autoimmune disorders, which tend to occur together in individuals and in related family members, provide useful etiologic clues for disease of unknown cause.1 Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported to occur in association with other autoimmune disorders such as autoimmune thyroid diseases, autoimmune adrenalitis, myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.1-3
REPORT OF A CASE
A 40-year-old man had suffered from presumed MS since 1961. He had occasional exacerbations, and was treated with short courses of intramuscular cortisone therapy in the early 1960s and 1970. His symptoms and signs included recurrent attacks of optic neuritis of the left eye, slurring dysarthria, grossly ataxic gait, and quite marked incoordination, particularly in the legs.In July 1973, an urticarial-like rash with itching erythematous papules and plaques over his scalp, extremities, and flanks appeared. There was stiffness and pain in finger joints and ankles. Laboratory