Is juvenile dermatomyositis life threatening?

Is juvenile dermatomyositis life threatening?

Despite modern treatment approaches Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) remains a serious and potentially life threatening disease. There are few studies which have documented mortality among large series of cases of JDM treated with modern therapeutic approaches.

Is juvenile myositis fatal?

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare but complex and potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease of childhood, primarily affecting proximal muscles and skin.

Is JDM an autoimmune disease?

JDM is an autoimmune disease that affects muscle, skin and small blood vessels in children. The body’s immune system attacks its own healthy muscle, skin and blood vessel tissues because it mistakenly sees them as invaders.

What is the prognosis of myositis?

Prognosis for Autoimmune Myositis Overall 5-year survival rate is 75% and is higher in children. Death in adults is preceded by severe and progressive muscle weakness, dysphagia, undernutrition, aspiration pneumonia, or respiratory failure with superimposed pulmonary infection.

Can you live a normal life with dermatomyositis?

More than 95 percent of those with DM, PM, and NM are still alive more than five years after diagnosis. Many experience only one period of acute illness in their lifetime; others struggle with symptoms for years.

Is JDM curable?

There is no cure for JDM. However, there are treatments that can reduce or eliminate the symptoms. This allows people with JDM to lead active, healthy lives. The goals of any treatment program for JDM are to control muscle inflammation and damage, maintain and improve muscle strength and function.

How common is JDM?

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare disease that causes muscle inflammation and a skin rash. It’s different from other muscle diseases because it also causes skin problems. Symptoms often first appear in children between ages 5 and 10.

Is JDM hereditary?

There is likely to be a genetic (hereditary) predisposition to all autoimmune diseases and children who have JDM may have a relative who suffers from another autoimmune disease such as diabetes or arthritis.

Can you live a long life with myositis?

While sporadic inclusion body myositis is a progressive disease, life expectancy for those with sIBM is usually the same as for those without the disease. In fact, IBM patients usually don’t die from the disease, but from complications (often preventable) that are associated with it.

Does myositis shorten life?

Although there is no effective treatment, having inclusion body myositis does not directly affect your life expectancy. However, it may shorten your life span indirectly through the dangerous consequences of losing your muscle strength.

What is the death rate of dermatomyositis?

Previous studies reported that the connective tissue disease PM/DM has a poor prognosis and high I-HMR. The reported 10-year survival rate ranged between 53% and 91% [4, 9–12]. A very recent population-based study from America reported a hospital mortality of 4.5% [2].

Does dermatomyositis ever go away?

There’s no cure for dermatomyositis, but periods of symptom improvement can occur. Treatment can help clear the skin rash and help you regain muscle strength and function.

How long does it take for JDM to go away?

JDM is a treatable disease. In many cases the disease goes into remission within two years. The child may have their medications stopped. However, some children may have active disease longer than two years. Some children may have more severe symptoms than others. Some children with JDM can have repeat episodes of the disease.

What is the prevalence of JDM in the US?

JDM begins in children under the age of 16 and affects 3,000-5,000 children in the United States. JDM occurs twice as often in girls as in boys. The average age of onset is 7 years and rarely occurs under the age of 2.

How does JDM affect the body?

Some children with JDM develop calcium deposits under the skin or in the muscle. The calcium deposits vary in size but are always firm feeling − like little rocks under the skin. Deposits in the muscle can impair muscle movement. In some cases these calcium deposits will break through the skin and drain.

Can a child with JDM have repeat episodes of JDM?

Some children with JDM can have repeat episodes of the disease. Some may have the type of disease that does not respond quickly to medications. It is impossible at this time to know how your child will respond. The most important thing is to take all the medicine your doctor prescribes and complete physical therapy.