Muscle Disease Flashcards
Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are examples of which type of myopathy?
Inflammatory myopathy
Inflammatory myopathies more commonly affect whch gender?
Females
What is the most common clinical feature of the inflammatory myopathies?
Muscle weakness
What is the onset like with polymyositis and dermatomyositis?
Gradual
(over months)
Which muscles are commonly affected with polymoyositis and in which pattern (symmetrical/asymmetrical)?
Proximal muscles
(symmetrical pattern)
Which cutaneous signs are classic for dermatomyositis?
- Gottron’s sign
- Heliotrope rash
- Shawl sign
Describe Gottron’s sign
- A purple/violet colouring of the skin over the MCP and PIP joints
- This can be painful and may bleed
- Often worsens in sunlight
How is the respiratory system affected by polymyositis or dermatomyositis?
Interstitial lung disease
Respiratory muscle weakness
How can the cardiovascular system be affected by polymyositis or dermatomyositis?
Myocarditis
Which symptom associated with polymyositis and dermatomyositis involves oesophageal issues?
Dysphagia
Which other non-specific symptoms besides the specific systems symptoms can be seen in polymyositis and dermatomyositis?
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Raynaud’s
- Non-erosive polyarthritis
- SOB
- Cough
Which patient with polymyositis (or dermatomyositis) is most at risk of malignancy?
a) John 75
b) Bertha 70
John
Men >45 have greatest risk of malignancy
Which types of malignancy can be associated with polymyositis or dermatomyositis?
- Ovarian
- Breast
- Stomach
- Lung
- Bladder
- Colon
Which inflammatory myositis (dermatomyositis or polymyositis) is most prone to malignancy?
Dermatomyositis
Which drug class can bring on symptoms similar to those seen in polymyositis or dermatomyositis?
Statins
(or steroids)
Which worrying signs in a social history would strengthen your suspision for dermatomyositis or polymyositis?
- High alcohol consumption
- Illicit drug use
What are the two main methods for testing a patient’s muscle strength?
- Confrontational (direct test of power)
- Isotonic (test how much of a certain exercise they can do in a time limit)
Which muscle enzyme will be raised in dermatomyositis or polymyositis?
Creatinine kinase
Which antibodies will be found in polymyositis or dermatomyositis?
- Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA)
- Anti-Jo-1
How are inflammatory markers impacted in polymyositis or dermatomyositis?
They are raised