Myositis is a group of rare autoimmune diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and damage to the skeletal muscles. More than 50,000 people in the U.S. are living with myositis, and roughly 7,000 people are diagnosed every year.1 Among the different types of myositis, polymyositis and dermatomyositis are two of the most common forms. While polymyositis affects just muscles, dermatomyositis affects both muscles and skin. We’ll examine both polymyositis and dermatomyositis more below.
Polymyositis Signs and Symptoms
Polymyositis is a condition that primarily affects the skeletal muscles, causing inflammation and weakness. The skeletal muscles are the muscles attached to bones that allow for voluntary movement. When these muscles become inflamed and damaged, it can significantly impact a person's ability to perform everyday activities.
Common signs and symptoms of polymyositis include:2
Muscle pain: Persistent aching or tenderness in the muscles, particularly in the abdomen, shoulders, upper arms, and hips.
Muscle stiffness: Difficulty moving muscles freely, often worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
Muscle weakness: Progressive weakness in the muscles, making it challenging to perform tasks like climbing stairs, lifting objects, or rising from a seated position.
Joint pain and stiffness: Inflammation can also affect the joints, leading to pain and stiffness.
Trouble breathing: In severe cases, the muscles involved in breathing can become weakened, causing respiratory difficulties.
Difficulty swallowing: Inflammation of the muscles involved in swallowing can make it challenging to eat and drink.
Irregular heart rhythms: In some cases, the inflammation can affect the heart muscles, leading to irregular heartbeats or other cardiac issues.
Dermatomyositis Signs and Symptoms
Dermatomyositis is a subtype of myositis that affects both the muscles and the skin. In addition to the muscle-related symptoms of polymyositis, individuals with dermatomyositis may experience various skin manifestations.
Skin-related signs and symptoms of dermatomyositis include:3
Rash: A distinctive, painful, and itchy red or purple rash that appears on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, neck, shoulders, and upper back.
Eyelid swelling: Red or purple swelling of the upper eyelids, often accompanied by a rash.
Gottron's papules: Raised, red or purple spots on the knuckles, elbows, knees, and toes.
Photosensitivity: Increased sensitivity to sunlight, which can exacerbate skin rashes.
Calcinosis: Hard lumps under the skin caused by calcium deposits, which can be painful and limit movement.
Nail fold changes: Swelling and redness around the fingernails, known as periungual erythema.
Skin tightening: In some cases, the skin can become tight and shiny, a condition known as scleroderma.
Treatment Options for Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis
Though there is no cure for polymyositis and dermatomyositis, symptoms can be managed. Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medicines like steroids or corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive medicines that suppress the body’s immune system. Rituxan, an infusion therapy, is typically prescribed if anti-inflammatory medicines don’t provide adequate control of symptoms. Immune Globulin (IG) therapy may also be prescribed if there’s no response to other treatments. Administered via an infusion, IG therapy consists of donated blood products that help boost your body's immune system. Antihistamine drugs or anti-inflammatory steroid creams may also be prescribed for skin rashes.
In addition to treatment, physical therapy, heat therapy, rest, and/or special devices can help support muscles and movement. Avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen can also help prevent skin rashes.
How BioMatrix Can Help
BioMatrix helps manage the individual needs of patients requiring IG therapy. As a specialty infusion pharmacy, our clinical teams have extensive training and experience in rare diseases, infusion therapies, and complex medical conditions. Knowledgeable pharmacists and care coordination staff guide each patient through the potential medication side effects and, working with the prescribing physician, help manage treatment to reduce the prevalence and severity of relapses.
We also administer in-home treatment to provide a more comfortable and convenient infusion experience. The result is safe, consistent, and compassionate treatment for our patients with nursing needs. Where appropriate, our in-home nursing team trains patients to administer their own injectable or infusible drugs, fostering more independence. After the home visit and administration, our nurses also guide patients on continuing with their therapy, help minimize or manage side effects, and answer questions that patients may have throughout their treatment plan.
Learn more about our individualized specialty pharmacy services for patients with polymyositis, dermatomyositis, or other neurological conditions.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. All information, content, and material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider or as legal advice. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here or on our website.
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References
(2017). Facts About Myositis Infographic. Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). https://www.hss.edu/conditions_infographic-facts-about-myositis.asp#
Polymyositis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polymyositis/symptoms-causes/syc-20376628
Dermatomyositis. John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dermatomyositis
Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis Treatment. Muscular Dystrophy Association. https://www.mda.org/disease/polymyositis/treatment