Guide To Dermatomyositis Complications And Related Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis development may be associated with or a complication of a previous diagnosis of dermatomyositis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes the components of an individual's joints to become inflamed. It develops when an individual's immune system inappropriately attacks the healthy tissues of their synovium. The synovium is the membranous structure inside of a joint between two or more bones that contain fluids. These fluids and membranes protect the bones and cartilage and provide lubrication. When the synovium becomes inflamed and swollen, it causes damage to the cartilage that protects the bones in the joint. This malfunction allows the individual's bones of the affected joint to erode rapidly with normal use. A dermatomyositis patient may develop rheumatoid arthritis because the cells in the joint tissues may contain molecularly similar compounds and proteins as the cells that make up the affected muscle tissues.

Read more about dermatomyositis associated conditions now.