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Dermatomyositis
Definition Dermatomyositis is connective-tissue disease that is characterized by inflammation of the muscles and the skin.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The cause of this disorder is unknown. It is theorized that an autoimmune reaction or a viral infection of the skeletal muscle may cause the disease. It can affect people at any age, but most commonly occurs in people 40 to 60 years old, or in children from 5 to 15 years old.
It affects women much more often than men. Muscle weakness may appear suddenly or occur slowly over weeks or months. There may be difficulty with raising the arms over the head, rising from a sitting position, and climbing stairs.
A dusky, purplish red rash may appear over the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and back. Joint pain, inflammation of the heart, and lung (pulmonary) disease may occur.
A malignancy may sometimes be associated with this disorder. A similar condition is called polymyositis when the symptoms occur without any skin manifestations.
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• Definition
• Dermatomyositis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Dermatomyositis Symptoms & Signs
• Dermatomyositis Diagnosis & Tests
• Dermatomyositis Treatment
• Dermatomyositis Prognosis
• Dermatomyositis Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acute Kidney Failure
• Pericarditis
• Pneumonia
• Polymyositis - Adult
• Tumor
Tests & Exams
• Aldolase
• ECG
• Electromyography
• Muscle Biopsy
Other Topics
• Breathing Difficulty
• Joint Pain
• Malignancy
• Rashes
• Swallowing Difficulty
• Weakness
Review Date : 8/15/2003
Reviewed By : Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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