Dermatomyositis and myositis

Question 1

What is myositis?

Answer 1

Autoimmune muscle weakness and inflammation

Question 2

What are the risk factors for myositis?

Answer 2

Females

40-60yo

Question 3

What is the presentation of myositis?

Answer 3

Musce weakness and atrophy
Functional difficulty
Fatigue and malaise
Weight loss

Question 4

What is dermatomyositis?

Answer 4

Autoimmune muscle weakness and inflammation with skin involvement

Question 5

What are the risk factors for dermatomyositis?

Answer 5

Female
40-70yo
Children

Question 6

What is the characteristic presentation of dermatomyositis?

Answer 6

Heliotrope rash with eyelid oedema

Gottron’s papules

Question 7

What is the presentation of dermatomyositis?

Answer 7

Heliotrope rash with eyelid oedema
Gottron's papules
Muscle weakness nd atrophy
Functional difficulty 
Fatigue and malaise 
Weight loss

Question 8

What is the appearance of a heliotrope rash?

Answer 8

Blue-purple discolouration of upper eyelids

Question 9

What are Gottron’s papule?

Answer 9

Immensely itchy dry erythema over knuckles

Question 10

What investigations are done for myositis and dermatomyositis?

Answer 10

Bloods- CRP and ESR, CK, aldolase, ANA, myoglobin
EMG
Muscle and skin biopsy

Question 11

What is the management of myositis and dermatomyositis?

Answer 11

1. steroids
2. IVIg
3. Other immunosuppression