A Classic Dermatomyositis: A Case Report of Rare Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy

Background: Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare autoimmune disease and is one of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies which predominately affects the skin and muscles. Its estimated incidence is less than 10 cases per million population with an overall female/male ratio is approximately 2:1. This case report presents a classic case of dermatomyositis in a male in Indonesia. Case Presentation: A 38-year-old male was admitted to the Dr. Soetomo Hospital for weakness in all four extremities and dysphagia. Initial symptoms included a red-purplish rash around the eyes, further tests showed an elevation of a serum muscle enzyme and abnormal electromyography. The symptoms did not improve with a systemic corticosteroid but improved with an immunosuppressive agent. This patient had a typical clinical manifestation of classic DM. Conclusion: Immunosuppressive agents including cyclophosphamide should be considered in refractory cases with corticosteroids.