MDA5 dermatomyositis with severe muscle weakness, chest tightness and shortness of breath, and even dyspnea at rest are considered serious.MDA5 refers to MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis, and patients with this type of dermatomyositis usually have a rapid progression of the disease. It often involves the skin, joints, etc. In severe cases, severe muscle weakness and interstitial lung lesions are often seen.
1. Skin: Most patients will have a rash. Dark purplish-red rash on eyelids with periorbital edema, keratinized and cracked skin on finger pads, perinail capillary dilatation, and psoriasiform changes on scalp.
2. Joints: mostly accompanied by joint pain.
3. Muscle: Most of them will have muscle weakness with muscle tenderness. It is often manifested as decreased muscle strength of the limbs and difficulty in movement. In severe cases, it may involve the cervical flexors and transverse esophageal muscles, resulting in difficulty in lifting the head, difficulty in swallowing, choking and coughing when eating. In worse cases, the respiratory muscles will be affected, resulting in respiratory distress.
4. Interstitial lung disease: MDA5-positive myositis patients often have interstitial lung fibrosis that progresses very quickly. Initially, it may be manifested as dry cough, with the progress of the disease gradually appear chest tightness, shortness of breath, palpitation and other discomforts, and even resting dyspnea, and ultimately need to rely on the ventilator to assist breathing.
If symptoms occur, it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible and follow the doctor’s instructions for standardized treatment.