Etymed
dermatomyositis
Definition
Inflammation of the skin and muscles, characterized by a distinctive skin rash and muscle weakness
Clinical context
A 45-year-old woman presents with progressive weakness in her proximal muscles over several weeks, accompanied by a heliotrope rash around her eyes and Gottron's papules on her knuckles. She reports difficulty climbing stairs and rising from seated positions. Physical examination reveals muscle tenderness and a characteristic purplish discoloration of the eyelids with surrounding edema.
Mnemonic
DERMATOmyositis = DERMA (skin) + MYOS (muscle) + ITIS (inflammation)