musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Autoimmune Myositis
Prognosis for Autoimmune Myositis
Long remissions (even apparent recovery) occur in up to 50% of treated patients within 5 years, more often in children. Relapse, however, may still occur at any time. 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. Death in children with dermatomyositis may be a result of bowel vasculitis. Dermatomyositis and polymyositis have been linked to an increased cancer risk. Cancer, if present, generally determines the overall prognosis. 