Polymyositis (adult)
Treatment:
The disease is treated with corticosteroid medications. When an improvement in muscle strength is achieved, usually in 4 to 6 weeks, the medication is slowly tapered off. Maintenance therapy with prednisone is usually continued indefinitely. In people who fail to respond to corticosteroids, medications to suppress the immune system may be indicated.
If the condition is associated with a tumor, the condition may improve if the tumor is removed.
Expectations (prognosis):
Remission (a period when no symptoms are present) and recovery have been reported, especially in children. In adults, death may result from severe and prolonged muscle weakness, malnutrition, pneumonia, or respiratory failure. The probable outcome is usually worse if chest involvement is present.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder occur; shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing can indicate an urgent need for treatment.
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