Suhani Bhatnagar, best known for her role as young Babita Phogat in the wrestling film Dangal, tragically passed away at the age of 19 due to Dermatomyositis, a rare and inflammatory disease. Her family revealed that Suhani had been displaying symptoms for two months before being diagnosed with the disease just ten days prior to her passing.
Suhani was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on February 7 and succumbed to medical complications on February 16. Dr. Shweta Singhai, Senior Consultant – Rheumatology at Sakra World Hospital in Bengaluru, stated that the exact cause of dermatomyositis is unknown, but it may be due to viral infections, problems with the body’s immune system, bacterial infections, vaccinations, environmental factors such as UV radiation and air pollutants, and even certain medications.
Additionally, the disease is associated with underlying malignancy in about 30-40% of patients. Dermatomyositis is extremely rare, occurring in only 2-3 people for every 100,000 in the population.
Symptoms of dermatomyositis include muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash, with the muscles of the shoulders, upper arms, hips, thighs, and neck being the most affected. The affected person may have difficulty raising their arms above shoulder level, getting up from a sitting position, and may experience joint pain and swelling.
The disease can also affect the muscles involved in swallowing and respiration, leading to difficulty in swallowing and breathing, which requires immediate medical attention. While there is no cure for dermatomyositis, symptoms can be managed with medication, physical therapy, exercise, heat therapy, and rest.
In terms of treatment, Dr. Singhai mentioned the use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, and other medications such as methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab, and intravenous immunoglobulin. Other treatments include rest, avoiding sun exposure, using sunscreens, and wearing photoprotective clothing.
This tragic news has shed light on the rare condition of dermatomyositis and the urgent need for further research and understanding of the disease.
Historically, dermatomyositis was first described in 1887 by Dr. Unverricht, who noticed that dermatomyositis followed a viral infection and suspected that it was an immune reaction to the preceding infection. Since then, advances in medical research have furthered our understanding of the disease, but there is still much to be learned.
The passing of Suhani Bhatnagar has brought attention to the importance of raising awareness about rare diseases and the need for continued efforts in finding effective treatments and cures for these conditions.
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