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Dermatomyositis

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Dermatomyositisis not the name you expected.

Synonyms

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy
IIM
ADM
Polymyositis
Childhood dermatomyositis

Disorder Subdivisions

Juvenile (Childhood) Dermatomyositis (JDMS)
Adult Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis sine myositis

General Discussion

Dermatomyositis is a progressive connective tissue disorder characterized by inflammatory and degenerative changes of the muscles and skin. Associated symptoms and physical findings may vary widely from case to case. Muscle abnormalities may begin with aches and weakness of the muscles of the trunk, upper arms, hips, and thighs (proximal muscles). Muscles may be stiff, sore, and tender and, eventually, show signs of degeneration (atrophy). Affected individuals may experience difficulty in performing certain functions, such as raising their arms and/or climbing stairs. In addition, affected individuals may experience speech and swallowing difficulties.

Skin abnormalities associated with dermatomyositis often include a distinctive reddish-purple rash (heliotrope rash) on the upper eyelids, across the cheeks and bridge of the nose in a "butterfly" distribution, the forehead, or additional skin regions; scaling and degenerative (atrophic) changes of affected skin on the extending surfaces of the knuckles, elbows, knees, and/or other regions (Gottron's sign); an abnormal accumulation of fluid (edema) in body tissues surrounding the eyes; and/or other features.

The symptoms of childhood dermatomyositis are similar to those associated with the adult form of the disorder. However, onset is usually more sudden. In addition, abnormal accumulations of calcium deposits (calcifications) in muscle and skin tissues as well as involvement of the digestive (gastrointestinal [GI]) tract are more common in the childhood form of dermatomyositis.

Although the exact cause of dermatomyositis is not known, it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder.
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Resources

Myositis Association
1233 20th Street NW
Suite 402
Washington
DC
20036
USA
Tel: (202)877-0088
Fax: (202)466-8940
800: (800)821-7356
tma@myositis.org
http://www.myositis.org

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe
MI
48021-2227
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
800: (800)598-4668
aarda@aarda.org
http://www.aarda.org/

Arthritis Foundation
1330 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta
GA
30309
USA
Tel: (404)872-7100
Fax: (404)872-0457
800: (800)568-4045
help@arthritis.org
http://www.arthritis.org

Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 E. Sunrise Dr
Tucson
AZ
85718
USA
Tel: (520)529-2000
Fax: (520)529-5300
800: (800)344-4863
mda@mdausa.org
http://www.mdausa.org

Myositis Support Group
146 Newtown Road
Woolston, Southampton
Hampshire
Intl
S019 9HR
United Kingdom
Tel: 023 80 449708
Fax: 023 80 396402
enquiries@myositis.org.uk
http://www.myositis.org.uk

NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda
MD
20892-3675
USA
Tel: (301)495-4484
Fax: (301)718-6366
800: (877)226-4267
TDD: (301)565-2966
NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay
WI
54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
800: (877)336-5333
mums@netnet.net
http://www.netnet.net/mums/

Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick
NJ
08723
Tel: (732)664-9259
autoimmunehelp@aol.com
http://www.aininc.org

European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
c/o Dr. Esther de Vries
Jeroen Bosch Hospital
Dept. Paediatrics
P.O. Box 90153
Hertogenbosch
5200 ME's
Netherlands
Tel: +31 73-6992965
Fax: +31 73-6992948
info@esid.org
http://www.esid.org

AutoImmunity Community
Tel: (919) 552-9057
bandrews@autoimmunitycommunity.org
http://autoimmunitycommunity.org

Myositis Support Group
Hospital for Special Surgery
Department of Social Work Programs
535 East 70th Street
New York
NY
10021
Tel: (212)774-7623
Fax: (212)774-2333
fischbeins@hss.edu
http://www.hss.edu/myositisgroup

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 7/23/2007
Copyright 1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: July 23, 2007

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