In many instances, younger people and children suffering from Dermatomyositis respond well to therapy treatments, to the point where their symptoms almost completely disappear. In older adults however, prolonged muscle weakness can lead to other associated health conditions such as pneumonia or heart or lung failure.
The exact cause of Dermatomyositis is unknown, but is has been suggested that the condition is an autoimmune reaction caused by the body, in which it attacks its own tissues. It has also been suggested that the condition is hereditary. Dermatomyositis is commonly linked to other auto-immune diseases such as Lupus.