Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients With Juvenile Dermatomyositis in China: A Multicenter Study

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare but chronic autoimmune disease with systemic nonsuppurative inflammation. Many studies have focused on the clinical characteristics and therapy of JDM. Whereas a few studies have reported the epidemiological characteristics and social burden of patients with JDM internationally, no study has been performed in China to date.

This study was based on the Futang Updating Medical Records (FUTURE) database. Data were extracted from registry information in inpatient medical records. The epidemiological characteristics and economic burden of Chinese patients with JDM were analyzed.

A total of 1164 patients with JDM from 24 hospitals were enrolled from January 2016 to December 2021. The ratio of boys to girls was 1:1.23, and half were between 6 and 12 years old. Over half (n = 629) were admitted to the hospital at least twice for intensive treatment. In total, 20.02% of patients with JDM had lung involvement and 2.23% experienced subcutaneous calcification. The median number days of hospitalization was 10 (IQR 6-14), whereas the median hospitalization expense was US $2370.50 (IQR 1373.70-3541.90). Lung involvement was the most frequent complication, causing high inpatient burden, length of stay, and expense. Nearly 17% of patients with JDM were admitted to the hospital as emergencies, suggesting a severe disease activity stage requiring urgent treatment. No deaths occurred in our study.

In our study, we analyzed the epidemiological characteristics and social burden of patients with JDM in China, contributing to the enhanced comprehension and effective management of JDM in the country.