[ad_1]
NEW DELHI: The sudden death of the teenage actor due to a autoimmune disorder has sparked a debate about the need for greater awareness of these diseases, both among the public and among doctors.
The actor suffered from dermatomyositis, an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the skin and skeletal muscle. His family said that the actor had been suffering from symptoms suggestive of the disease for almost two months, but that the diagnosis could only be made two weeks ago.
“Initially she complained of swelling in her left hand. Later, she also developed skin problems for which we visited several doctors, but in vain. Two weeks ago, when we took her to AIIMS, it was confirmed that our daughter was suffering from “Dermatomyositis, which is an extremely rare disease. She was treated with steroids and several other medications, but unfortunately she did not survive,” the actor’s father told ANI.
According to Dr Uma Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Rheumatology, AIIMS, as with most autoimmune or autoinflammatory rheumatic diseases, dermatomyositis also requires a high index of suspicion and caution in diagnosis as it has many mimics. . “Often these patients see a dermatologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, nephrologist, etc. before seeing a rheumatologist because of the multisystem nature of the disease,” she said.
Treatment of dermatomyositis, which predominantly affects the skin and muscles but can affect the joints, lungs, heart, kidneys, etc., includes the administration of anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, patients may also require the administration of immunosuppressive medications.
“Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications, among others, are given to slow the process. Most patients respond well to treatment and only about 5% “You have fulminant cycles,” the doctor said.
Although no one knows the exact cause of autoimmune disorders, research suggests that they can be triggered by multiple factors, for example, recurrent viral infections, smoking, air pollution, certain drugs, and chronic stress. According to doctors, genetic predisposition also plays an important role.
Dr Kameshwar Prasad, emeritus professor of neurology at AIIMS, who currently heads the neurology division at Fortis Vasant Kunj, told TOI that people who have tested positive by PCR for Covid-19 have a two to three times higher risk of develop autoimmune diseases, including dermatomyositis. , compared to those who never tested positive for the viral infection. “The risk also depends on the severity of Covid-19,” he said.
A study recently published in eClinical Medicine, part of Lancet Discovery Science, says prolonged inflammation in Covid-19 could cause the immune system to create antibodies against virus antigens that share structural similarities with self-antigens and lead to a cross-reactive response. against both autoantigens and non-autoantigens.
The study is based on an analysis of de-identified electronic health records from more than 250 million participants from more than 120 global health organizations.
“There is no prevention for autoimmune disorders… Timely action can help reduce the severity of the disease in most cases,” said neurologist Dr. Shamsher Dwivedee.
The actor suffered from dermatomyositis, an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the skin and skeletal muscle. His family said that the actor had been suffering from symptoms suggestive of the disease for almost two months, but that the diagnosis could only be made two weeks ago.
“Initially she complained of swelling in her left hand. Later, she also developed skin problems for which we visited several doctors, but in vain. Two weeks ago, when we took her to AIIMS, it was confirmed that our daughter was suffering from “Dermatomyositis, which is an extremely rare disease. She was treated with steroids and several other medications, but unfortunately she did not survive,” the actor’s father told ANI.
According to Dr Uma Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Rheumatology, AIIMS, as with most autoimmune or autoinflammatory rheumatic diseases, dermatomyositis also requires a high index of suspicion and caution in diagnosis as it has many mimics. . “Often these patients see a dermatologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, nephrologist, etc. before seeing a rheumatologist because of the multisystem nature of the disease,” she said.
Treatment of dermatomyositis, which predominantly affects the skin and muscles but can affect the joints, lungs, heart, kidneys, etc., includes the administration of anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, patients may also require the administration of immunosuppressive medications.
“Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications, among others, are given to slow the process. Most patients respond well to treatment and only about 5% “You have fulminant cycles,” the doctor said.
Although no one knows the exact cause of autoimmune disorders, research suggests that they can be triggered by multiple factors, for example, recurrent viral infections, smoking, air pollution, certain drugs, and chronic stress. According to doctors, genetic predisposition also plays an important role.
Expand
Dr Kameshwar Prasad, emeritus professor of neurology at AIIMS, who currently heads the neurology division at Fortis Vasant Kunj, told TOI that people who have tested positive by PCR for Covid-19 have a two to three times higher risk of develop autoimmune diseases, including dermatomyositis. , compared to those who never tested positive for the viral infection. “The risk also depends on the severity of Covid-19,” he said.
A study recently published in eClinical Medicine, part of Lancet Discovery Science, says prolonged inflammation in Covid-19 could cause the immune system to create antibodies against virus antigens that share structural similarities with self-antigens and lead to a cross-reactive response. against both autoantigens and non-autoantigens.
The study is based on an analysis of de-identified electronic health records from more than 250 million participants from more than 120 global health organizations.
“There is no prevention for autoimmune disorders… Timely action can help reduce the severity of the disease in most cases,” said neurologist Dr. Shamsher Dwivedee.