bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Autoimmune Myositis
Prognosis for Autoimmune Myositis
Up to 50% of people (especially children) who have received treatment within 5 years of diagnosis often have a long symptom-free period (remission), and some may even appear to recover completely. However, the disorder may still return (relapse) at any time. About 75% of people survive at least 5 years after the diagnosis is made. This percentage is even higher among children. Adults are at risk of death resulting from severe and progressive muscle weakness, Difficulty Swallowing , Children who have the juvenile form of dermatomyositis may develop severe inflammation of the blood vessels ( Overview of Vasculitis ) that supply the bowel, which can ultimately lead to Polymyositis tends to be more severe and resistant to treatment in people whose heart or lungs are affected. Polymyositis and particularly dermatomyositis have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. In people who have cancer, it is the cancer rather than the autoimmune myositis that is the cause of death. 