What Is Dermatomyositis?
3. What Causes Dermatomyositis?
While there are many known causes of myositis, including infection, drug use, and injury, there is little known about why some people develop dermatomyositis. It may be caused by microangiopathy, which is a disease affecting small blood vessels. There seems to be a strong genetic component, especially for younger patients who develop dermatomyositis.
Other suspected causes of dermatomyositis include cancer in older adults, an autoimmune reaction, an effect of certain drugs, or the result of specific toxins. It is thought a combination of environmental and biological factors are to blame.
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