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Polymyositis is a condition that causes inflammation and weakness in many different muscles of the body.
What is going on in the body?
This condition is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is one in which a person's immune system attacks his or her own body.
When a person has polymyositis, the immune system attacks the muscles. This causes muscular inflammation and weakness. Other organs in the body can also be affected by this condition.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
The exact cause of this condition is unknown. It occurs most often among women between 40 to 60 years old. However, men and children can also be affected.
A person has a higher than normal risk of developing polymyositis if he or she has another autoimmune disorder, such as:
- systemic lupus erythematosus. This disorder causes problems with many body organs, including joints, lungs, kidneys, skin, and heart.
- systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma, which causes skin hardening and tightness
Sometimes, cancer can cause polymyositis for unknown reasons.
What are the treatments for the condition?
Medications called corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are the most common treatment. These medications suppress the immune system and reduce the inflammation. Azathioprine and methotrexate may be used to suppress the immune system.
If a tumor or cancer is the cause of this condition, removing or treating the tumor may improve or stop symptoms in the muscles.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Medications that suppress the immune system raise the risk of infections, which can be serious. Corticosteroids may cause emotional problems, weight gain, and bone thinning. These medications may even cause muscle weakness, one of the symptoms they are being used to treat. If muscle weakness occurs, other medications must be used.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles after treatment. People often get better with treatment. This is especially true of children. But this condition is unpredictable. Some people die from complications of it.
How is the condition monitored?
Repeated blood tests are sometimes used to measure the level of muscle proteins in the blood. When the levels are high, the treatment medication dose is increased because the muscles are still being damaged. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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