Can interstitial pneumonia caused by dermatomyositis be cured?
Disease description:
My younger brother is 31 years old. Recently, he has been feeling unwell, with many pimples appearing on his skin and recurring fever. After a medical examination, the doctor diagnosed him with dermatomyositis. I would like to know whether interstitial pneumonia caused by dermatomyositis can be cured.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Aihua
Interstitial pneumonia caused by myositis can be effectively controlled in most patients through appropriate treatment. Currently, interstitial pneumonia associated with myositis has drawn widespread attention from pulmonology and immunology specialists due to its rapid progression, extensive lung involvement, and high mortality rate during the acute phase. It is important to note that in most cases, interstitial pneumonia is not directly caused by myositis itself, but rather results from concurrent infections or specific infectious agents. During autoimmune therapy, the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants may lead to viral infections or Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, which are commonly observed. Therefore, when myositis patients present with signs of interstitial pneumonia, it is essential to actively perform pathogen screening to exclude infectious causes. Following this, aggressive interventions such as pulse steroid therapy and potent immunosuppressive treatments, including biologic agents, usually yield favorable outcomes.
