Can plasma exchange treat dermatomyositis?
Disease description:
The doctor told me I have dermatomyositis and recommended plasmapheresis. I hadn't heard of this term before—does plasmapheresis help treat dermatomyositis?
Plasmapheresis can be used to treat dermatomyositis. Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disease characterized by skin involvement, skeletal muscle inflammation, and small vessel vasculitis, often associated with viral or bacterial infections and abnormal immune responses. Plasmapheresis is a blood purification therapy that removes pathogenic molecules from the bloodstream. It works by separating plasma from cellular components using a plasma separator, then removing the diseased plasma, which makes it effective in treating dermatomyositis. Patients are advised to wear hats and gloves and keep warm when going outdoors.