Polymyositis - adult

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Superficial anterior muscles

Polymyositis is a systemic disease, which means it affects the whole body. Symptoms include:

•  muscle weakness in the proximal muscles (shoulders, hips, etc.)
• muscle pain
• difficulty swallowing
• shortness of breath
• hand tremor

Patients may also have morning stiffness, joint pain, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and fever.

• electromyography
• MRI of affected muscles
• muscle biopsy
• serum creatinine , elevated
• serum aldolase , elevated
• CPK , elevated

Review Date: 10/13/2005
Reviewed By: Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A., Chief, Division of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.