Poliomyositis-dermatomyositis

Poliomyositis and dermatomyositis are conditions in which the skeletal muscle is damaged by an inflammatory process dominated by lymphocytic infiltration. It comes under the disease of the connective tissues, bones and joints. The term poliomyositis is applied when the condition spares the skin and the term dermatomyositis when poliomyositis is associated with a characteristic skin rash. This disease is divided into five different groups. Clinical manifestations of this disease are Weakness of the proximal muscles of the lower limbs results in difficulty in arising from the kneeling position and in climbing or descending stairs. Pain and tenderness of the involved, muscles of buttocks, thighs and calves may be present. Weakness of the trunk muscles and flexor muscles of the neck may be present. The distal muscles are spared in most of the patients. Skin may precede or follow the muscle syndrome and include a localized or diffuse erythema, maculopapular eruption or scaling eczematoid dermatitis. Simple diagnosis are 1.Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is usually raised, 2.Elevated serum levels of the muscle enzymes, such as creatine kinase, adolase, lactic dehydrogenase and serum gultamic pyruvate transminase. The best treatment of choice is predisolone at a dose of 1 mg/kg daily till patients shows significant improvement.