Polymyositis and dermatomyositis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2]

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis is a multisystem disorder that involves many organs. The hallmark of polymyositis is symmetric muscle weakness. The hallmark of dermatomyositis is skin manifestation. Patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis may have a positive history of gradual worsening of proximal muscle weakness, past medical history or family history of other autoimmune diseases. Common symptoms include constitutional symptoms, mild myalgias, skin eruptions, joint pain, and swelling. Less common symptoms of polymyositis and dermatomyositis include cough, dyspnea, aspiration, dysphagia, nasal regurgitation, swelling of periorbital area, and fingernails.

• Polymyositis and dermatomyositis is a multisystem disorder that involves many organs.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}
• The hallmark of polymyositis is symmetric muscle weakness.
• The hallmark of dermatomyositis is skin manifestation.

Patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis may have a positive history of:

• Gradual worsening of proximal muscle weakness manifested as difficulty climbing stairs, getting up from a chair, carrying heavy groceries, or picking up their children
• Past medical history of other autoimmune diseases
• Family history of autoimmune diseases

Common symptoms of polymyositis and dermatomyositis include:

• Symmetric muscle weakness manifested as:
  • Difficulty raising their arms above the shoulders
  • Climbing steps
  • Rising from sitting
• Mild myalgias
• Feeling of contraction of the arms and legs
• Skin eruptions
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Joint swelling

Less common symptoms of polymyositis and dermatomyositis include:

• Weight loss
• Cough
• Difficulty swallowing
• Shortness of breath
• Nasal regurgitation
• Aspiration
• Periorbital swelling
• Fingernails swelling
• Splitting of the skin of the fingers