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Polymyositis Information Page Reviewed 11-19-2001 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What is Polymyositis?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Related NINDS Publications and Information What is Polymyositis? Polymyositis is an inflammatory muscle disease that causes varying degrees of decreased muscle power. The disease has a gradual onset and generally begins in the second decade of life. Polymyositis rarely affects persons under the age of 18. The most common symptom is muscle weakness, usually affecting those muscles that are closest to the trunk of the body (proximal). Eventually, patients have difficulty rising from a sitting position, climbing stairs, lifting objects, or reaching overhead. In some cases, distal muscles (those not close to the trunk of the body) may also be affected later in the course of the disease. Trouble with swallowing (dysphagia) may occur. Very rarely, the muscles ache and are tender to touch. The disease may be associated with other collagen vascular, autoimmune or infectious disorders Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Myositis Association
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Related NINDS Publications and Information
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