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polymyositis
(pol″e-mi″o-si´tis)
a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease of skeletal muscle, seen in both children and adults, characterized by symmetrical
weakness of the limb girdles, neck, and pharynx. It is usually associated with pain and tenderness, and may be preceded or
followed by manifestations typical of scleroderma, arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Sjögren syndrome. It is also sometimes associated with malignancy, and may be accompanied by characteristic skin lesions.

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