Dermatomyositis Details

Expanded Description

Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disorder related to Polymyositis. The disorder is characterized by inflammation of the muscles and the skin.

Prevalence

14.8 ( Per 100,000 Population ) [Source]

Causes

The cause of Dermatomyositis is unknown. Some believe that it may result from either a viral infection or an autoimmune reaction.

Disorder Symptoms

There are several symptoms that affect patients with Dermatomyositis.

Name	Description
Photosensitive erythroedema	Photosensitive erythroedema on exposed areas of the skin. Skin rash usually present on the face, back of the shoulders, upper chest, hands and joints
Muscle weakness	Muscle weakness
Arthralgias	Joint pain
Palpitations	Palpitations are less common
Difficulty swallowing	Difficulty swallowing caused by inflammation of the pharyngeal muscles. May require emergency hospitalization in specialized units
Myalgia	Muscle pain
Gottron's papules	Small vesicles along the sides of the fingers
Alopecia	Hair loss, either localised and concentrated, and/or generalised and diffuse.
Renaud's Syndrome	Acute constrictive reaction of blood vessels of the extremities in response to cold, causing hypoxia, ischaemia and utimately gangrene if severe and untreated.
Calcinosis/Dystrophic Calcification	Deposits of calcium phosphate with a very thickly paste-like or snow-like texture in the tissues, up to several cm breadth. These may remain inactive, or may ulcerate and be resistant to healing.

Diagnosis

Onset of Dermatomyositis is often acute but may be progressive. Diagnosis can be confirmed through clinical findings, elevated serum muscle enzymes, muscle scan (electromyogram) images or muscle biopsy.

Diagnostic Tests

No diagnostic test information has been added yet.

We don't have any tests yet.

Disorder Treatments

There is no cure for dermatomyositis, but the symptoms can be treated.

We don't have any treatments yet.

Prognosis

No prognosis information has been added yet

Tips for Living with the Disorder

Name	Description
Investigate All Possible Drug Side Effects	Carefully investigate the possible side-effects of ANY drug you are prescribed. You cannot rely on doctors to adequately inform you. Then any deleterious effects can be assessed for their rate of incidence and weighed against the severity of the symptoms.