Dermatomyositis

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Dermatomyositis, Gottron's papule	Dermatomyositis, Gottron's papule	Dermatomyositis, Gottron's papules on the hand	Dermatomyositis, heliotrope eyelids
Dermatomyositis, heliotrope rash on the face	Dermatomyositis on the legs	Paronychia, candidial

The disease is treated with corticosteroid medications or other immunosuppressive drugs. When an improvement of muscle strength is achieved, the medication is slowly tapered. Maintenance therapy with prednisone is often continued indefinitely.

If the condition is associated with a tumor, the condition may improve if the tumor is removed.

Remissions and recovery have been reported, especially in children. In adults, death may result from severe and prolonged muscle weakness, malnutrition, pneumonia, or respiratory failure. The outcome is usually worse if cardiac or pulmonary involvement is present.

• Acute renal failure
• Associated malignancy
• Cardiac, pulmonary, or abdominal complications

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience the signs and symptoms of dermatomyositis.

Review Date: 04/30/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.