Definition of Polymyositis
Polymyositis: A chronic inflammatory disease of muscle that begins when white blood cells, the immune cells of inflammation, spontaneously invade muscles, especially the muscles closest to the trunk or torso, resulting in sometimes severe muscle pain, tenderness and weakness.
There are commonly periods of increased symptoms, called flares or relapses, and periods of decreased symptoms, known as remissions. The disease is slightly more common in females than males. It affects all age groups, although its onset is most common in middle childhood and in the twenties. It occurs throughout the world. It can be associated with skin rash and is then referred to as "dermatomyositis." It also can affect other areas of the body and is, therefore, a systemic illness.
Occasionally, polymyositis is associated with other diseases of connective tissue such as
systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and
rheumatoid arthritis. Polymyositis is also associated with modestly increased risk of cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung and bladder cancer.
There are many other aspects to this important disease that are beyond the scope of this dictionary entry. For fuller information, please read the article on Polymyositis.
Last Editorial Review: 1/13/2001
Common Misspellings: polymyocitis
- prednisolone, Pediapred Oral Liquid, Medrol - Defines the medication prednisolone (Pediapred Oral Liquid, Medrol) a drug used used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes, and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
- Antinuclear Antibody Test - Read about antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), unusual antibodies that can bind to certain structures within the nucleus of the cells, are found in patients whose immune system may be predisposed to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. ANAs are indicative of the potential presence of an autoimmune illness.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission).
Latest Medical News
Back to MedTerms online medical dictionary A-Z List
