Article: ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN DERMATOMYOSITIS THROUGH PANCHAKARMA: A CASE STUDY

Article Category: Case Reports

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.165161

Pages: 15-20

Author: Megha B *, Ananta S Desai

Abstract: Introduction: Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disease, a rare type of inflammatory myopathy, characterized by inflammatory and degenerative changes in muscles and skin. It results in proximal muscle weakness, eventually showing the signs of atrophy. Skin abnormalities include heliotrope rash, butterfly rash, Gottron papules and sign etc. The estimated incidence of dermatomyositis is 9.63 cases per million population. According to Ayurveda, even though there is no direct correlation, this disease can be studied under Santata Jwara and Punaravartaka Jwara. Materials and Methods: This case study involves a 55-year-old female patient, who presented with continuous fever for 10 days followed by reddish black lesion over face, multiple joint pain and stiffness, gradual reduction in strength in bilateral lower and upper limb which led to dependency in the past 5 months. The case is diagnosed as Santata jwara and Punaravartaka Jwara, and was treated with Deepana Pachana, Dashamula Kashaya Pariseka, Shashtikashali pinda sweda and matra basti for 25 days in total. Result: There was a noteworthy improvement in muscle power, reduction in multiple joint pain and stiffness and the patient became independent. Conclusion: Autoimmunity is associated with a broad spectrum of diseases, that cannot be understood as a single condition according to Ayurveda. Dermatomyositis is characterized by Santata Jwara and Punaravartaka Jwara lakshana and samprapti, thus treatment focused on Jwarahara, Ama Pachana, Agni Deepana and Brumhana. Even though these auto immune disease demand long term treatment and repeated Panchakarma chikitsa, this case shown significant improvement with a single course of treatment with observable symptomatic relief.

Keyword: Santata Jwara, Punaravartaka Jwara, Dermatomyositis, Panchakarma, Parisheka, Shashtikashali pinda sweda, matra basti