Fatal respiratory failure due to polymyositis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pulmonology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Respiratory failure can arise from various causes, including neuromuscular disorders.
• Polymyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by symmetrical proximal muscle weakness.

Observation:

• A patient presented with severe respiratory failure attributed to alveolar hypoventilation secondary to respiratory muscle weakness.
• Diagnostic evaluations, including electromyography and muscle biopsy, confirmed polymyositis.

Findings:

• The patient's respiratory failure significantly improved following the initiation of steroid therapy.
• This case suggests selective respiratory muscle involvement as a manifestation of polymyositis.

Implications:

• Polymyositis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained severe respiratory failure.
• While rare, respiratory complications of polymyositis can be life-threatening, highlighting the importance of early recognition and treatment.