Post-COVID-19 Inflammatory Myopathy With Dermatomyositis–Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) Overlap Features and Epiglottitis: A Case Report

TL;DR

This case report describes a rare autoimmune condition that developed after a patient had COVID-19, showing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Contribution

The paper presents a unique case of post-COVID-19 inflammatory myopathy with overlap features of dermatomyositis and MCTD.

Findings

The patient developed inflammatory myopathy after a recent COVID-19 infection.

The case showed overlap features of dermatomyositis and mixed connective tissue disease.

Timely immunosuppressive therapy is crucial to reduce long-term complications.

Abstract

Autoimmune inflammatory myopathies can emerge after viral illnesses and may present with a wide range of neuromuscular and systemic symptoms. Post-viral immune dysregulation may unmask or trigger overlap syndromes characterized by muscle inflammation, dysphagia, airway involvement, and broader immune activation. This report describes a case of inflammatory myopathy with dermatomyositis and mixed connective tissue disease-associated antibodies occurring after a recent COVID-19 infection, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and severity of presentation. The case underscores the importance of recognizing post-COVID autoimmune complications and initiating timely immunosuppressive therapy to reduce long-term morbidity.

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