Diseases characterized by inflammation involving multiple muscles. This may occur as an acute or chronic condition associated with medication toxicity (DRUG TOXICITY); CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASES; infections; malignant NEOPLASMS; and other disorders. The term polymyositis is frequently used to refer to a specific clinical entity characterized by subacute or slowly progressing symmetrical weakness primarily affecting the proximal limb and trunk muscles. The illness may occur at any age, but is most frequent in the fourth to sixth decade of life. Weakness of pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles, interstitial lung disease, and inflammation of the myocardium may also occur. Muscle biopsy reveals widespread destruction of segments of muscle fibers and an inflammatory cellular response. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1404-9)

Descriptor ID	D017285
MeSH Number(s)	C05.651.594.819 C10.668.491.562.575
Concept/Terms	Polymyositis Polymyositis Polymyositides Myositis, Multiple Multiple Myositis Myositides, Multiple Polymyositis, Idiopathic Polymyositis, Idiopathic Idiopathic Polymyositides Idiopathic Polymyositis Polymyositides, Idiopathic Polymyositis Ossificans Polymyositis Ossificans Ossificans, Polymyositis

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more general than "Polymyositis".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is related to "Polymyositis".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more specific than "Polymyositis".