Polymyositis: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

Polymyositis is an uncommon inflammatory disorder that weakens the muscles on both sides of the body. This condition may make it challenging for you to reach up, climb stairs, get up from a sitting posture, and lift objects.

The age range of thirty to fifty is when most polymyositis patients present. These problems disproportionately affect women. Typically, weeks or months pass before signs and symptoms start to show.

Although there isn't a known treatment for polymyositis, physical therapy can be combined with drugs that promote muscle strength and function.

Causes Of Polymyositis

There are indications that polymyositis might be hereditary, despite the fact the precise etiology of the illness is unknown. Recent research suggests that the disease may arise from immune system cells invading and damaging muscle tissue (an autoimmune process).

A deeper look at the processes underlying immune system malfunction may provide light on the etiology of polymyositis.

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Symptoms Of Polymyositis

This list includes a few polymyositis symptoms and indicators. These indications could emerge and vanish:

• Muscle weakness is the most common symptom. Usually affecting the muscles closest to the trunk, the symptoms progress gradually over three to six months, though they can also sometimes manifest abruptly.
• Climbing stairs and lifting objects are among the challenges faced by individuals who find it difficult to get back up after lying down.
• Difficulty with swallowing.
• Muscle aches: Muscle aches can occasionally be felt through the skin.
• Feeling tired.
• Breathing problems resulting from heart and lung involvement.
• Patchy red or violet rash around the eyes: Some people also get patchy red skin on their fingers, elbows, and knees, as well as a red rash on their neck and upper chest.
• Elevated temperature.
• Weight loss.

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Risk Factors Of Polymyositis

Your risk of having polymyositis is higher if you have scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjogren's syndrome.

Diagnosis Of Polymyositis

If your doctor suspects polymyositis, they might suggest one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests: By conducting a blood test, your doctor can evaluate whether you have high muscle enzyme levels, which could indicate muscle damage. A blood test can also detect specific autoantibodies connected to different polymyositis symptoms, which can help determine the best medication and treatment plan.
• Electromyography: A small needle electrode is introduced through the skin into the muscle during this test. Changes in the electrical activity pattern, which is observed when you relax or tense the muscle, can be used to diagnose muscle illnesses. The doctor can determine the distribution of the condition by performing muscle testing.
• Magnetic resonance imaging is referred to as MRI: A scanner creates cross-sectional images of your muscles using data generated by radio waves and a strong magnetic field. Unlike a muscle biopsy, an MRI can assess inflammation throughout a significant area of muscle.
• Muscle biopsy: During this examination, some muscle tissue is surgically removed for laboratory analysis. An investigation could find abnormalities such as inflammation, harm, or the absence of certain enzymes, or proteins.

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Treatment Of Polymyositis

The only known treatment for polymyositis is medicine, which can help you have stronger, more functional muscles. Early onset of polymyositis treatment leads to better outcomes and fewer complications.

This disease, like many others, has no one best strategy to treat it; instead, your doctor will tailor your care plan based on your symptoms and how well they react to treatment.

Drugs

The most common medications used to treat polymyositis are as follows:

• Steroids: One drug that is especially useful in treating polymyositis symptoms is prednisone. However, prolonged use of these drugs may have serious side effects that vary in kind; for this reason, your doctor may gradually cut the dosage of the drug to a lower level.
• Drugs that avoid using corticosteroids: When taken jointly, these drugs have the potential to lower the dosage and potential side effects of corticosteroids. Methotrexate and azathioprine are the two medications that are most frequently prescribed to treat polymyositis. 
• Either Rituxan or Rituximab: When other drugs are unable to control symptoms, rituximab, a therapy option for polymyositis, is increasingly commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Therapy

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your physician might advise:

• Physical therapy: A physical therapist can provide exercises to maintain and improve your strength and flexibility as well as suggest an appropriate level of activity.
• Speech therapy: Speech therapy can teach you compensatory ways to make up for swallowing muscle weakness caused by polymyositis.
• Dietetic assessment: Later in the course of polymyositis, swallowing and chewing meals may become more difficult. A registered dietitian can guide you through cooking healthy, quick meals.

Surgery

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a refined blood product composed of healthy antibodies from hundreds of blood donors. These healthy antibodies can impede the protective antibodies that target the muscle in polymyositis. It may be necessary to repeat intravenous (IVIg) therapy multiple times to achieve long-lasting results.

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Complications Of Polymyositis

Polymyositis may cause the following adverse effects:

• Difficulties in swallowing: You may have dysphagia, or trouble swallowing if there is injury to the esophageal muscles.
• Aspiration-related pneumonia: Pneumonia can also arise from difficulties swallowing, which can lead to the inhalation of food particles or liquids (including saliva) into your lungs.
• Breathing difficulties: Breathing problems, such as dyspnea or, in severe situations, respiratory failure, could arise if the disease impacts the muscles in your chest.

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