dermatomyositis
noun
der·ma·to·my·o·si·tis
ˌdər-mə-tō-ˌmī-ə-ˈsī-təs 
(ˌ)dər-ˌma-
: polymyositis that is accompanied by involvement of the skin and that is marked especially by reddish erythematous eruptions usually on the face, neck, upper trunk and distal half of the limbs and by violet-colored erythema of the eyelids and region over the upper eyelids
Examples of dermatomyositis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, Amy Gleason’s daughter, Morgan, was diagnosed as a child with juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare immune disease.
—
Michael L. Millenson, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
The condition that Gleason’s daughter, who is now in her mid-20s, was diagnosed with is called juvenile dermatomyositis.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 10 Mar. 2025
At the time, the rheumatologist also sent his blood work to a lab to get more information on the type of dermatomyositis Alex had.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024
Ultimately, Callas was diagnosed with dermatomyositis in 1975, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, a rare inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness.
—Katie Mannion, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
One tangible explanation for Callas losing her voice was her dermatomyositis diagnosis in 1975, a somewhat rare disease that causes muscle inflammation, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, weight loss, and more.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
In June, a visit with a rheumatologist — who recognized the symptoms immediately — led to Alex finally being diagnosed with dermatomyositis.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024
The National Institutes of Health reports that the mortality rate for patients with MDA5 dermatomyositis is approximately 50%, with most deaths occurring during the early stages of the illness.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024
This includes conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, systemic sclerosis, polymyalgia rheumatica, mixed connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, polyarteritis nodosa, or vasculitis.
—Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
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Michael L. Millenson, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
The condition that Gleason’s daughter, who is now in her mid-20s, was diagnosed with is called juvenile dermatomyositis.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 10 Mar. 2025
At the time, the rheumatologist also sent his blood work to a lab to get more information on the type of dermatomyositis Alex had.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024
Ultimately, Callas was diagnosed with dermatomyositis in 1975, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, a rare inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness.
—Katie Mannion, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
One tangible explanation for Callas losing her voice was her dermatomyositis diagnosis in 1975, a somewhat rare disease that causes muscle inflammation, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, weight loss, and more.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
In June, a visit with a rheumatologist — who recognized the symptoms immediately — led to Alex finally being diagnosed with dermatomyositis.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024
The National Institutes of Health reports that the mortality rate for patients with MDA5 dermatomyositis is approximately 50%, with most deaths occurring during the early stages of the illness.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024
This includes conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, systemic sclerosis, polymyalgia rheumatica, mixed connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, polyarteritis nodosa, or vasculitis.
—Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Dermatomyositis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dermatomyositis. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
dermatomyositis
noun
der·ma·to·my·o·si·tis
-ˌmī-ə-ˈsīt-əs
plural dermatomyositises or dermatomyositides
-ˈsit-ə-ˌdēz
: polymyositis that is accompanied by involvement of the skin and that is typically marked by reddish erythematous eruptions especially on the face, neck, upper trunk and distal half of the limbs, by periorbital edema, by violet-colored erythema of the eyelids and region over the upper eyelids, and sometimes by cutaneous vasculitis or subcutaneous calcification
The specific trigger for dermatomyositis is not known, but it is thought that several cancers can produce or incite the body to produce antibodies, proteins, and hormones.—Stewart Massad, Discover
—abbreviation DM
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