13,462 people with polymyositis/dermatomyositis in the USA 1996 1 ... see also overview of Dermatomyositis.
approx 1 in 20,205 or 0.00% or 13,461 people in USA [Source statistic for calcuation: "13,462 people with polymyositis/dermatomyositis in the USA 1996 1" -- see also general information about data sources]
Dermatomyositis is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Dermatomyositis, or a subtype of Dermatomyositis, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Ophanet, who are a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when if affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Dermatomyositis as a "rare disease". More information about Dermatomyositis is available from Orphanet
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the prevalence and/or incidence of Dermatomyositis.
Although the cause of polymyositis remains puzzling, researchers believe that it may result from an autoimmune reaction. Presumably, the patient’s T cells inappropriately recognize muscle fiber antigens as foreign and attack muscle tissue, causing diffuse or focal muscle fiber degeneration. (Regeneration of new muscle cells then follows, producing remission.) Polymyositis and dermatomyositis may be associated with other disorders, such as allergic reactions; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); scleroderma; rheumatoid arthritis; Sjögren’s syndrome; carcinomas of the lung, breast, or other organs; systemic viral infection; or d-penicillamine administration.
Annual incidence is 1 in 100,000 people.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
1:200,000
>Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
The term 'prevalence' of Dermatomyositis usually refers to the estimated population
of people who are managing Dermatomyositis at any given time.
The term 'incidence' of Dermatomyositis refers to the annual diagnosis rate,
or the number of new cases of Dermatomyositis diagnosed each year.
Hence, these two statistics types can differ:
a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence,
but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence.
For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.
Footnotes:
1. Rose and Mackay, 1998, The Autoimmune Diseases, Third Edition
What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Search Specialists by State and City
By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.
Copyright © 2009 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved.
Every parent knows at least one thing about keeping children clean: it's not easy. But cleanliness is about more getting rid of smudges and...
Eczema may not be a life-threatening condition, but it is life altering. Learn how people can manage eczema by avoiding triggers and treating...
Alleviating the symptoms of eczema is important for people who suffer with this skin condition. Steroid therapies have been a great help, but their...
There are a variety of different treatments that can help control eczema. The therapies can come as creams, ointments or even as pills. However, not...