dermatomyositis

An 82-year-old man presents with 8 weeks of periorbital edema,

6 weeks of rash, and 2 weeks of bilateral shoulder and arm aches

and weakness. What is the diagnosis?

a. Polymyalgia rheumatica

b. Inclusion body myositis

c. Hypothyroidism

d. Polymyositis

e. Dermatomyositis

Ans. Dermatomyositis

• Three causes of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy:

Dermatomyositis (DM)

Polymyositis

Inclusion body myositis

• Dermatomyositis has a bimodal age distribution

• Skin findings associated with DM:

Heliotrope hue of the eyelids

Rash of the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal

joints (Gottron’s papules)

Photosensitivity dermatitis of the face

• Proximal myositis with associated pain and weakness is

characteristic of DM

• The serum creatine kinase and aldolase values are usually

increased in DM

• The anti-Jo1 antibody is present in 25% of patients with DM

• The electromyogram is characteristic, but not diagnostic, of

the inflammatory myopathies

• Amuscle biopsy is suggested for all patients with inflammatory

Myopathy

• Patients with DM have an increased risk for cancer

• DM is treated with immunosuppressive drugs.

This is a dermatology question.this might not come in this way as a picture but the most tested points are heliotrope

rash and gottrons papules.you have to at least remember these and try asking your friends as many times as you can

….this is important…