A study of long-term survival, functional outcome and quality of life in patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis.

Abstract

polydermatomyositis is associated with excess mortality; alterations in muscle function persist in half the cases and the ability to carry out physical activities is often reduced. The retrospective design of our study, small sample size and heterogeneity of our population precluded identification of factors predictive of survival, loss of function, or poor quality of life.