Dermatomyositis
Treatment
The disease is treated with anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids and drugs that suppress the immune system.
When your muscle strength gets better, your doctor may tell you to slowly cut back on your doses. However, most persons with this condition must take a medicine called prednisone indefinitely.
If the condition is associated with a tumor, the muscle weakness and rash may improve when the tumor is removed.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Some people may recover and have symptoms completely disappear. Doctors have reported several such cases, especially in children.
In adults, death may result from severe and prolonged muscle weakness, malnutrition, pneumonia, or lung failure. The major causes of death are cancer (malignancy) and lung disease.
Possible Complications
- Acute renal failure
- Cancer (malignancy)
- Inflammation of the heart
- Joint pain
- Lung disease
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have muscle weakness or other symptoms of this condition.
References
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007.
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