Pulmonary involvement in polymyositis and dermatomyositis

Abstract

Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis are systemic inflammatory diseases that affect skeletal muscles and other internal organs such as lung. Pulmonary involvement in polymyositis and dermatomyositis includes interstitial lung disease, aspiration pneumonia, respiratory muscle weakness, etc. The aim of this study was the identification of pulmonary involvement in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis, and their assessment in relation to alterations of immunological examinations. 51 patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis were assessed for anti- nuclear antibody, anti- histidyl t ribonucleic acid synthetase antibody. Pulmonary high resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests were performed for the patients. Interstitial lung disease was found in 15 (29.4%) patients, aspiration pneumonia in 6 (11.8%) patients and respiratory insufficiency in one (2%) patient. Restrictive ventilatory pattern on pulmonary function testing was observed in 13 (25.5%) patients. Pulmonary manifestations are common in polymyositis and dermatomyositis. These afflictions are anatomical and functional. Immunological alterations are important factors in pulmonary afflictions. Copyright © 2014, Indian Journal of Medical Specialities. Published by Reed Elsevier India Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.