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Polymyositis - Adult
DefinitionPolymyositis is a systemic connective tissue disease characterized by inflammation and degeneration of the muscles.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The cause of this disorder is unknown. It is thought 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 those between 50 and 70 years old, or in children between 5 and 15 years old. It affects women twice as often as men.
Muscle weakness may appear suddenly or occur slowly over weeks or months. There may be difficulty raising the arms over the head, rising from a sitting position, or climbing stairs. The voice may be affected through weakness of the throat muscles. Joint pain, inflammation of the heart, and lung disease may occur.
A similar condition, called dermatomyositis, is evident when a dusky, red rash appears over the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and back. A malignancy may be associated with this disorder. Each year, between 2 and 10 people per million develop the disease.
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• Definition
• Adult Polymyositis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Adult Polymyositis Symptoms & Signs
• Adult Polymyositis Diagnosis & Tests
• Adult Polymyositis Treatment
• Adult Polymyositis Prognosis
• Adult Polymyositis Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Dermatomyositis
• Heart Disease
• Lung Disease
• Pericarditis
• Pneumonia
• Tumor
Tests & Exams
• Aldolase
• CPK
• Creatinine - Serum
• Electromyography
• Muscle Biopsy
Other Topics
• Breathing Difficulty
• Hand Tremor
• Joint Pain
• Malignancy
• Muscle Aches
• Proximal
• Respiratory
• Swallowing Difficulty
• Systemic
• Weakness
Review Date : 8/3/2003
Reviewed By : Megan Clowse, M.D., Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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