Dermatomyositis in an Elderly with Respiratory Presentation: A Case Report

Abstract

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory disease that affects the skin and proximal skeletal muscles. To our best knowledge, there are very few cases of Dermatomyositis reported in Nepal and almost none with respiratory manifestation. We present to you the case of dermatomyositis complicated with interstitial lung disease of a 74 years old male patient with a three-week history of generalized weakness, weight loss, Gottron's papule, and heliotrope rash, with features of interstitial lung disease such as shortness of breath, fever, and productive cough, later confirmed by high-resolution computed tomography. We monitored his serum creatine kinase/creatine phosphokinase level for two consecutive days which showed a progressive increase (281 U/L to 290 U/L). His antinuclear antibody test was positive. He was managed with standard treatment of dermatomyositis. This report might help understand the presentation of disease in our setting which can help in early diagnosis and early initiation of treatment.