More than 50,000 people in the U.S. are living with myositis, and roughly 7,000 people are diagnosed every year.1 Myositis is a neurological, autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the skeletal muscles due to cell damage. This inflammation and swelling can cause muscle weakness and pain as well as skin conditions.
There are different types of myositis. While polymyositis affects just muscles, dermatomyositis affects both muscles and skin. We’ll examine both polymyositis and dermatomyositis more below.
Polymyositis Signs and Symptoms
Polymyositis is characterized by muscle weakness and pain particularly in the abdomen, shoulders, upper arms, and hips. Muscles in the center of the body tend to be affected the most, though any skeletal muscles can be affected. The skeletal muscles are connected to your bones, allowing you to control movements. When these muscles are inflamed and damaged, it can affect the ability to walk, run, sit, and stand. This inflammation can also cause challenges for eating and breathing.
Polymyositis signs and symptoms include:
Muscle pain
Muscle stiffness
Muscle weakness
Joint pain and stiffness
Trouble breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Inflammation of the heart causing irregular heart rhythms
In addition to affecting the muscles, dermatomyositis also affects the skin. In addition to signs and symptoms of polymyositis involving muscle weakness and pain, symptoms of dermatomyositis include:2
Painful, itchy red or purple rash on sun exposed areas
Red or purple swelling of upper eyelids
Red or purple spots on knuckles, elbows, knees, and toes
Joint pain in cold conditions that lessons in warmer conditions
Scaly, dry skin that can cause hair thinning
Surrounding areas of fingernails that get swollen and red
Hard lumps under the skin caused by calcium deposits
Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis Treatment Options
Though there is no cure for polymyositis or dermatomyositis, symptoms can be managed. Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medicines like steroids or corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive medicines that suppress the body’s immune system. Rituxan, an infusion therapy, is typically prescribed if anti-inflammatory medicines don’t provide adequate control of symptoms. Immune Globulin (IG) therapy may also be prescribed if there’s no response to other treatments. Administered via an infusion, IG therapy consists of donated blood products that help boost your body's immune system. Antihistamine drugs or anti-inflammatory steroid creams may also be prescribed for skin rashes.
In addition to treatment, physical therapy, heat therapy, rest, and/or special devices can help support muscles and movement. Avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen can also help prevent skin rashes.
How BioMatrix Can Help
The treatment of neurological disorders using infusion therapies has become the standard of care in many neurological practices throughout the United States. BioMatrix helps manage the individual needs of patients needing infusions, providing education and support to help improve quality of life. Knowledgeable pharmacists and care coordination staff guide each patient through the potential medication side effects and, working with the prescribing physician, help manage treatment to reduce the prevalence and severity of relapses.
The BioMatrix clinical team includes compassionate nurses who have extensive training and experience with rare diseases, infusion therapies, and complex medical conditions. Our nurses work together with patients, caregivers, pharmacists, and prescribers to coordinate the optimal site of care (including home infusion), conduct nursing interventions, and provide patient education.
Learn more about our individualized specialty pharmacy services for patients with neurological disorders.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. All information, content, and material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here or on our website.
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References
(2017). Facts About Myositis Infographic. Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). https://www.hss.edu/conditions_infographic-facts-about-myositis.asp#
Dermatomyositis. John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases
