2021 Volume 25 Issue 2 Pages 129-134
A 74-year-old woman was diagnosed with dysphagia due to dermatomyositis. Symptoms of dermatomyositis onset were gait disturbance and a dusky red rash on her neck and back. She was transferred to our hospital because of general malaise and dysphagia. After the diagnosis of dermatomyositis, corticosteroid therapy and immunosuppressive therapy relieved the symptoms of dermatomyositis, including elevated creatine kinase, myalgia, and skin rash; however, severe dysphagia persisted. Swallowing-related muscle strength training was initiated with careful attention to overuse from the subacute phase. Tongue strength and swallowing ability improved without any adverse events such as flare-ups of dermatomyositis. Muscle strength training with careful attention to overuse and state of illness may be effective for subacute dysphagia due to dermatomyositis.
