What are the typical symptoms of polymyositis?

Polymyositis is characterized by marked muscle weakness, particularly affecting the proximal muscles, such as those in the shoulders and pelvis. This weakness typically develops progressively over weeks to months and is often accompanied by muscle tenderness in some cases. The primary symptoms relate to muscle function, distinguishing it from other conditions that might present with joint pain or systemic symptoms.

Although other options mention important symptoms related to different medical conditions, they do not accurately represent the hallmark features of polymyositis. For instance, while joint pain and swelling can occur in various inflammatory diseases, they are not clinical signs of polymyositis itself. Similarly, skin rashes and fatigue can be associated with other conditions such as dermatomyositis, which shares some characteristics with polymyositis but includes distinctive skin manifestations. Shortness of breath and hypotension are not typical symptoms of polymyositis either; rather, those symptoms might indicate complications or associated conditions unrelated to the primary muscle weakness that defines polymyositis.

Thus, the symptoms of marked muscle weakness and potential tenderness accurately reflect the core manifestations of the disease, making this the correct choice for identifying the typical symptoms of polymyositis.