Dermatomyositis

A rare autoimmune disorder in which the muscles and skin become inflamed. It causes a skin rash first on the bridge of the nose and cheeks, followed by a purple discoloration on the eyelids and sometimes a red rash on the knees, knuckles, and elbows. Muscles become weak, stiff, and painful, particularly those in the shoulders and pelvis. Treatment is with corticosteroid drugs and/or immunosuppressant drugs and physiotherapy. In about 50 per cent of cases, full recovery occurs after a few years. The remainder have persistent muscle weakness. In about 20 per cent, it eventually affects the lungs and other organs and may be fatal.