Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is one of a group of muscle diseases known as the inflammatory myopathies, which are characterized by chronic muscle inflammation accompanied by muscle weakness.

What is Dermatomyositis?

Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory condition characterized by muscle weakness and a skin rash. Although the disease primarily affects the muscles and skin, it is a systemic condition and can also involve the lungs, joints, esophagus and sometimes the heart.

Dermatomyositis Causes

Dermatomyositis Presentation

Dermatomyositis Pathology

Dermatomyositis Diagnosis

Dermatomyositis Symptoms

Latest Dermatomyositis News and Research

New murine model sheds light on anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis

Some diseases involve autoimmune reactions, when the body begins to attack its own cells and proteins.

13 Apr 2024

Xist lncRNA identified as key trigger in female-biased autoimmune diseases

Researchers uncover that the Xist ribonucleoprotein complex, unique to females, is a key driver of sex-biased autoimmunity, offering new insights into autoimmune disorders' higher prevalence in women.

4 Feb 2024

UT Southwestern expert says common skin problems could signal a more serious rheumatic disease

While rheumatic diseases typically affect the joints, muscles, or ligaments, the first signs of a problem may appear on the skin.

21 Apr 2023

Patients with autoimmune diseases at greater risk of complications after heart attack

In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers assessed midterm and management outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among patients with rheumatic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).

18 Sep 2022

Genetic cause of lupus identified

An international team of researchers has identified DNA mutations in a gene that senses viral RNA, as a cause of the autoimmune disease lupus, with the finding paving the way for the development of new treatments.

27 Apr 2022

Gene discovery could pave the way for new and more effective treatments for lupus

Researchers from The Australian National University have identified a gene called TLR7 that, when over-activated, is responsible for causing lupus, an autoimmune disease that can be life-threatening in severe cases.

27 Apr 2022

FDA grants seven years of marketing exclusivity for Octapharma’s Octagam 10%

Octapharma USA today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) has awarded seven years of marketing exclusivity for Octagam® 10% [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)], the first and only intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) to be indicated for the treatment of adult dermatomyositis (DM).

31 Aug 2021

Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases

A recent study discusses the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with SARDs who were previously vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2.

11 Aug 2021

Doctors now must provide patients their health data, online and on demand

Last summer, Anna Ramsey suffered a flare-up of juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune condition, posing a terrifying prospect for the Los Angeles resident: She might have to undergo chemotherapy, further compromising her immune system during a pandemic.

18 May 2021

Researchers identify mechanism by which dermatomyositis may develop in humans

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy that has been regarded as an autoimmunity-based disorder, although its pathogenesis remains unclear.

8 Apr 2021

Juvenile inflammatory rheumatic disease associated with higher antibody responses to seasonal coronaviruses

A new study released on the bioRxiv* server compared the antibodies produced in young patients with these three conditions against the two immunodominant coronavirus antigens, the spike and the nucleocapsid antigens.

19 Feb 2021

HSS presents research related to rheumatology and orthopedic surgery at 2020 ACR annual meeting

At this year's American College of Rheumatology virtual meeting, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) presented exciting research related to rheumatology and orthopedic surgery.

10 Nov 2020

Lupus patients receiving prophylactic therapy are at high risk for adverse reactions

New research shows that adults with systemic lupus erythematosus, who receive trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), a prophylactic therapy to help prevent pneumocystis pneumonia, are at high risk for adverse reactions to the drug, particularly if they are also positive for anti-Smith (anti-Sm) antibodies.

6 Nov 2020

Survey: Only few children with rheumatic diseases report contracting COVID-19

Results from a large, international survey shows that only a small fraction of children with rheumatic diseases reported contracting COVID-19.

6 Nov 2020

Study shows ADA2 is a sensitive, specific biomarker for macrophage activation syndrome

According to new research findings presented at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting, adenosine deaminase 2 (ADA2) in the peripheral blood is a sensitive, specific biomarker for macrophage activation syndrome, a potentially life-threatening complication of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (systemic JIA)

10 Nov 2019

Patients and families gather to gain more awareness, knowledge about myositis

In early 2015, Mike Matthews, a teacher, social worker, and counselor for the State of Kentucky, experienced a constellation of apparently unrelated health problems that doctors could not diagnose. He lost more than thirty pounds, had trouble swallowing and speaking, developed a rash over his knuckles and other parts of his body, and experienced extreme muscle weakness and fatigue.

29 Aug 2018

New classification criteria offers faster, more accurate path to diagnosing myositis diseases

The ability to diagnose myositis diseases and treat them properly just improved immensely. For more than 40 years, the criteria physicians have used to diagnose most myositis diseases has been based on expert opinion, not hard science.

21 Dec 2017

Endurance training can be helpful in dealing with muscle inflammation

Endurance training can actually be helpful in dealing with muscle inflammation, according to a new paper co-written by faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York, and Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.

8 Nov 2017

New treatment reduces disease burden in patients with rare dermatologic condition

A new treatment for a rare and often incurable condition called dermatomyositis (DM) reduced the severity of the disease in patients whose DM was resistant to other therapies.

31 Oct 2017

Exoskeleton device helps man with disabling condition to complete 10K race

Martin Jarry was a police officer in Quebec. He coached a youth hockey team. He was used to being active, used to working out, used to being strong. But when Jarry was diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM), he had to do some serious re-evaluating of his activities.

10 Aug 2017