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Dermatomyositis
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Dermatomyositis is one of a group of acquired muscle diseases called inflammatory myopathies (disorder of muscle tissue or muscles), which are characterized by chronic muscle inflammation accompanied by muscle weakness. The cardinal symptom is a skin rash that precedes or accompanies progressive muscle weakness.[1] Dermatomyositis may occur at any age, but is most common in adults in their late 40s to early 60s, or children between 5 and 15 years of age.[2] There is no cure for dermatomyositis, but the symptoms can be treated. Options include medication, physical therapy, exercise, heat therapy (including microwave and ultrasound), orthotics and assistive devices, and rest.[1] The cause of dermatomyositis is unknown.[3]



References
  1. NINDS Dermatomyositis Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). 2009 Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dermatomyositis/dermatomyositis.htm. Accessed November 4, 2009.
  2. Dermatomyositis. MayoClinic.com. 2009 Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/dermatomyositis/DS00335/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print. Accessed November 4, 2009.
  3. Kantor J. Dermatomyositis. MedlinePlus. 2009 Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000839.htm. Accessed November 4, 2009.

Questions & Answers (Found 1 Question)
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For more information about Dermatomyositis click on the boxes below:
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 General | Selected Full-Text Journal Articles
More Detailed Information (Found 9 resources)
Links where you can find more general information, comprehensive resources, selected full text journal articles, and news updates

  • General

    • MayoClinic.com provides information about dermatomyositis. Click on the link above to access this information.
    • eMedicine provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free
    • MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine Web site to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
    • The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) offers printed materials on this topic. We recommend calling toll-free at 877-226-4267 to request a copy of this information.
    • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
    • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
    • Orphanet is a database dedicated to information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.  Access to this database is free of charge.  Click on the link to read information on this topic.
    • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Dermatomyositis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
  • Selected Full-Text Journal Articles

 
NLM Gateway (Found 1 resource)
A tool to search across multiple resources offered on the National Library of Medicine's Website

    • NLM Gateway allows users to search many resources offered on the National Library of Medicine's Web site at once to quickly find more information about this condition. Some of the resources may be a duplicate of the resources listed on this page. To search NLM Gateway, click on the link; the condition name will already be in the search box, so you can just click the “Search” button.
 
Scientific Conferences (Found 1 resource)
Completed and upcoming scientific conferences and programs that have been sponsored by the National Institutes of Health

  • Past Conferences

    • Workshop on Inflammatory Myopathy, April 5, 2000 - April 6, 2000
      Location: NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
      Description: The goal of this workshop was to provide a forum for researchers in the areas of myositis, muscle biology, and immunology to review the current status of research on inflammatory myopathies and explore potential new avenues of research.
 Umbrella Organizations | Disease-Specific Organizations | Live Chat/E-mail Lists | Parent Matching Organizations
Support Groups (Found 8 resources)
Groups providing a wide range of services, supportive resources, and information

  • Umbrella Organizations

  • Disease-Specific Organizations

    • Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)
      3300 East Sunrise Drive
      Tucson AZ 85718-3208
      Phone: 800-572-1717
      Fax: 520-529-5300
      Email: mda@mdausa.org
      Web: www.mdausa.org
    • The Myositis Association
      1737 King Street, Suite 600
      Alexandria, VA 22314
      Toll-free: 1-800-821-7356
      Phone: (703) 299-4850
      E-mail: TMA@myositis.org
      Web site: http://www.myositis.org
    • American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA)
      22100 Gratiot Avenue Eastpointe
      East Detroit, MI 48201-2227
      Toll-free (In the United States): 800-598-4668
      Telephone: 586-776-3900
      Fax: 586-776-3903
      E-mail: aarda@aarda.org
      Web site:  http://www.aarda.org
  • Live Chat/E-mail Lists

    • The National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD) has partnered with Inspire.com to launch an online community for people with rare diseases called The NORD Rare Disease Community. This community connects medical patients, family members, caregivers, and professionals. Click on The NORD Rare Disease Community to learn more.
    • RareShare is an online social hub dedicated to patients, families and healthcare professionals affected by rare medical disorders. Click on RareShare to learn more.
  • Parent Matching Organizations

 
Clinical Trials & Research (Found 2 resources)
Resources where you may find research studies and clinical trials

    • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are studying or have studied Dermatomyositis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.
    • The Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool (RePORT) provides access to reports, data, and analyses of research activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including information on NIH expenditures and the results of NIH-supported research. Although these projects may not conduct studies on humans, you may want to contact the investigators to learn more. To search for studies, click on the link and enter the disease name in the "Terms Search" box. Then click "Submit Query".
      Link: http://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm

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