Dyspnea associated with dermatomyositis.

Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory muscle disease characterized by weakness of the skeletal muscles, in particular, the proximal muscles of the arms and thighs.1 If untreated, it is associated with progressive deterioration, and the severity ranges from mild to severe and can include paralysis. The onset is slow, over months in the majority of patients, but some people have rapid onset and progression. Dermatomyositis pulmonary disease occurs in 5–30% of cases, depending on the diagnostic method, and typically involves inflammation of the lung tissue.2