Can dermatomyositis cause difficulty swallowing?
Disease description:
My daughter is 12 years old and has dermatomyositis. Recently, she hasn't been able to eat—whenever she eats something, she vomits it back up, saying she can't swallow. Could this be related to dermatomyositis? Can dermatomyositis cause difficulty swallowing?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Aihua
Dermatomyositis can cause dysphagia. When dermatomyositis involves the gastrointestinal tract, it leads to abnormalities in esophageal striated muscle, impaired peristalsis of esophageal smooth muscle, and prolonged gastric emptying, which may result in dysphagia and food retention in the pyriform sinuses. In children, dermatomyositis can cause gastrointestinal ulcers and diarrhea. At the onset of dermatomyositis, symmetric small joint pain is common. Respiratory manifestations frequently include aspiration pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, and respiratory failure.
