TLDR Satoyoshi syndrome is likely an autoimmune disease that mainly affects young women and improves with immune-related treatments.
This systematic review analyzed 77 cases of Satoyoshi syndrome (SS) from 57 articles published between 1967 and 2021. SS predominantly affects women (76.6%) with a mean age of diagnosis at 21.2 years. All patients experienced painful muscle spasms and alopecia, with other common symptoms including diarrhea, malabsorption, growth retardation, amenorrhea, and bone deformities. SS was associated with various autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies, particularly antinuclear antibodies found in 21 patients. Pharmacological treatments, mainly corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and immunoglobulins, led to improvement in 90% of cases, supporting an autoimmune etiology for SS. Further studies are needed to systematically determine autoantibodies in SS patients to enhance understanding of the disease.
8 citations,
June 2019 in “Orphanet journal of rare diseases” Corticosteroids are the most effective treatment for Satoyoshi syndrome.
3 citations,
April 2019 in “Journal of the Endocrine Society” Satoyoshi syndrome can occur without causing premature ovarian failure.
7 citations,
January 2017 in “Neuromuscular Disorders” A rare autoimmune condition, Satoyoshi syndrome, can start in adults and improve with immunosuppressive treatment.
8 citations,
October 2014 in “The Journal of Dermatology” Patients with alopecia areata should be checked for muscle spasms, diarrhea, and ANA to avoid missing Satoyoshi syndrome.
6 citations,
May 2012 in “Pediatric Dermatology” Satoyoshi syndrome can cause hair loss and other serious health issues, and is hard to diagnose.
18 citations,
June 2006 in “Brain & development” A patient with Satoyoshi syndrome improved with a treatment combining several medications, including carbamazepine and methotrexate.
13 citations,
October 2003 in “Clinical pediatrics” Steroid treatment greatly improved the symptoms of a boy with a rare disorder called Satoyoshi syndrome.
12 citations,
October 2001 in “Pediatric Dermatology” Satoyoshi syndrome symptoms can improve with corticosteroids and surgery.
