Dermatomyositis

A subacute or chronic inflammatory disease of muscle and skin, marked by proximal muscle weakness and a characteristic skin rash. The illness occurs with approximately equal frequency in children and adults. The skin lesions usually take the form of a purplish rash (or less often an exfoliative dermatitis) involving the nose, cheeks, forehead, upper trunk, and arms. The disease is associated with a complement mediated intramuscular microangiopathy, leading to loss of capillaries, muscle ischemia, muscle-fiber necrosis, and perifascicular atrophy. The childhood form of this disease tends to evolve into a systemic vasculitis. Dermatomyositis may occur in association with malignant neoplasms. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1405-6)

Also Known As:

Dermatopolymyositis; Polymyositis Dermatomyositis; Dermatomyositis, Adult Type; Dermatomyositis, Childhood Type; Juvenile Dermatomyositis; Juvenile Myositis; Adult Type Dermatomyositis; Childhood Type Dermatomyositis; Dermatomyositis, Juvenile; Myositis, Juvenile; Polymyositis-Dermatomyositis

Musculoskeletal Diseases: 751
- Muscular Diseases: 10368
  - Myositis: 4646
    - Polymyositis: 2084
      - Dermatomyositis: 4004
Nervous System Diseases: 14737
- Neuromuscular Diseases: 2048
  - Muscular Diseases: 10368
    - Myositis: 4646
      - Polymyositis: 2084
        Dermatomyositis: 4004
Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
- Skin Diseases: 13402
  - Dermatomyositis: 4004
- Connective Tissue Diseases: 3325
  - Dermatomyositis: 4004

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