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Dermatomyositis and polymyositis

Dermatomyositis / polymyositis · Dermatomyozitida a polymyozitida

What it is

The immune system attacks muscle — and in dermatomyositis the skin — weakening the shoulders and hips; in adults it can signal a hidden cancer.

Symptoms & signs

  • Weakness climbing stairs or lifting the arms
  • violet rash on the eyelids
  • red scaly patches over the knuckles
  • trouble swallowing
  • breathlessness from lung scarring
  • aching muscles

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • call 112 / 911 now Choking, or cough and fever after food goes down the wrong way
  • see a doctor soon Weakness climbing stairs or lifting arms getting worse
  • see a doctor soon New cough, breathlessness or weight loss

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • CK blood test, antibodies, MRI and muscle biopsy
  • cancer screening in adults
  • high-dose steroids
  • methotrexate, azathioprine or mycophenolate
  • intravenous immunoglobulin
  • sun protection

Natural & lifestyle

  • Graded exercise once inflammation is controlled
  • vitamin D and calcium while on steroids
  • protein-rich diet

Emerging & experimental

  • JAK inhibitors
  • rituximab
  • CAR-T cell therapy

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Creatine with exercise — a small trial improved strength early / small studies
  • Vitamin D — low levels common; untested as treatment early / small studies
  • Anti-inflammatory and gluten-free diets — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes