Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis
What is Myositis?
Myositis is a connective tissue and autoimmune disease.
The body’s own immune system makes proteins called
“antibodies” for protection against viruses,
bacteria and other foreign bodies (antigens).
In myositis the immune system is unable to tell the difference
between antigens and its own cells and tissues. The immune
system makes “auto-antibodies” directed against
its own cells and tissues. The build up of these “auto-antibodies”
in the tissues causes inflammation, pain and muscle damage.
The cause of myositis is still unknown.
TYPES OF MYOSITIS
Polymyositis
Dermatomyositis
Inclusion Body Myositis
Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Mixed Connective Tissue
These illnesses are thankfully very rare. They affect the
muscles and connective tissues of the body. The main symptom
of these diseases is muscular weakness which may be progressive
and can be severely disabling, affecting in the majority
of cases the whole body. The disease can be accompanied
by depression and a general feeling of misery. It can affect
people of any age and sex. The disease is not catching and
there is no way to predict who will be affected by it. It
can be suppressed by drugs which can have side effects and
in turn can promote worrying problems of their own. As yet
there is no cure for the disease. Most sufferers need constant
physiotherapy to prevent muscle shrinkage and to keep them
mobile. Some, fortunately do get better but for the majority
it is a case of living and coping with the disease and trying
to live a near normal life as possible. Some less fortunate
do need a wheelchair from time to time while the disease
is at its height.
MYOSITIS:
A GUIDE IN UNDERSTANDING THE DISEASES
What is Myositis?
Polmyositis and Dermatomyositis are related illnesses
affecting muscle and connective tissues of the body. Joints
may also occasionally be involved. A rarer form of Polymyositis
is known as Localised Nodular Myositis. A more serious and
rare form of myositis is Inclusion Body Myositis.
In Polymyositis, the main problems are weakness and inflammation
of the muscles. (‘Poly’ means many, ‘myo’
means muscle, ‘itis, means inflammation.)
In Dermatomyositis, the problems are similar to Polymyositis
but also include skin rashes. (‘Derma’ means
skin.)
Localised Nodular Myositis is a condition appearing in single
muscle or muscle groups where painful tender lumps can be
felt.
Inclusion Body Myositis is usually slowly progressive and
very difficult to treat.
In most of these conditions, the voluntary muscles undergo
degenerative changes due to inflammation. The main symptoms
of these diseases is muscular weakness, which may be progressive
and can be severely disabling. Initially it is not usually
painful in children and noticeable weakness may develop
gradually over several months.
What causes Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis?
Because Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis affects individuals
differently , it also probably’ has many causes. Some
doctors think they may be an autoimmune disease. ‘this
means that it is a result of a defect in the immune system.
which is the body’s natural defence against disease.
in healthy people. The immune system
produces substances to attack disease agents Such as bacteria
and viruses. In people with an autoimmune disease, there
is a defect in the immune system that causes it to turn
against the body’s own tissues.
Other doctors feel it may’ be started by a virus
or the combination of a viral infection and defective immume
system.
What are the Early Symptoms of these Diseases?
The diseases can vary greatly from patient to patient.
and few cases are identical and follow the same pattern.
Some people may have had the disease for months or even
years before it is noticed. However, the majority find within
weeks they have
developed muscular weakness. ‘this is sometimes accompanied
by pain and tenderness especially in adults.The large muscles
about the hips and shoulders are usually the first to be
affecte.The weakness results in difficulty in walking, lifting
arms and getting up from the sitting and lying down positions.
‘there may even be some trouble in swollowing and
the voice may become nasal in quality. Other muscles sometimes
affected are those in the neck making it difficult to raise
the head when lying down. Depression and a general feeling
of misery particularly in children, is very noticeable and
can be an indication of the disease before any sign of muscle
weakness.
Who gets Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis
and at what age does it appear?
The diseases can affect people of any age and sex.
It affects about twice as many women as men in adult life.
In children the ratio is equal. Although the condition affects
adults and children, the child-hood form possibly has different
underlying causes and behaves very differently from the
adult form. Children can be expected to make a complete
recovery. However, it is a rare disease in any of its forms.
Is there any Research into the Disease?
Research directed with an emphasis on all forms
of myositis is very limited. However, the Support Group
is currently funding a clinical trial at King’s College
Hospital in London.
The Support Group has in the past helped with funding research
in various ways. We have provided much needed equipment,
paid the living expenses of foreign doctors, the part time
salary of a physiotherapist and covered the total cost of
a research post for 2 years.
The funding of the current clinical trial covers the cost
of the research post for one day a week for 5 years and
also the cost of a research nurse for 4 days a week for
3 years.
Information Courtesy of:
Dermatomyositis and Polymyosotis Support Group
The Group's Aims :
• To provides support to sufferers and their families
• To help give them a better understanding of their
illness.
• To relieve the isolation felt by individuals when
a rare illness is diagnosed
• To guide sufferers in the right direction for treatment
• To raise awareness of the conditions
• To raise funds to promote research
146 Newtown Road
Woolston
Southhampton
SO19 9HR
Tel : 02380 449708
Fax : 02380 396402
Email info@myositis.org.uk
For Further information visit the website
www.myositis.org.uk
