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Dermatomyositis sine myositis: association with malignancy
S E Whitmore1, R Watson, N B Rosenshein
1Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Dermatomyositis sine myositis, a variant of dermatomyositis (DM), shows similar malignancy rates to classic DM. This condition should be recognized as a distinct subclass of DM due to its paraneoplastic potential.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
- Oncology
Background:
- Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.
- DM sine myositis is a subtype characterized by skin manifestations without muscle involvement.
- The association between DM and malignancy is well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define dermatomyositis sine myositis as a distinct diagnostic subclass of DM.
- To investigate the association between DM sine myositis and malignancy.
- To compare DM sine myositis with classic DM regarding clinical course and malignancy incidence.
Main Methods:
- A case series of patients diagnosed with DM and DM sine myositis between 1986 and 1993.
- Analysis of patient data including age of onset, follow-up duration, clinical course, and associated malignancy.
- Comparison of outcomes between patients with classic DM and DM sine myositis.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed between DM sine myositis and classic DM in age at onset or frequency of associated malignancy.
- Malignancy was diagnosed in 25% of DM sine myositis patients and 28% of classic DM patients.
- Average follow-up was 51 months for DM sine myositis and 35 months for classic DM.
Conclusions:
- DM sine myositis exhibits clinical similarities to classic DM.
- DM sine myositis may represent a paraneoplastic syndrome, similar to classic DM.
- DM sine myositis warrants inclusion in the polymyositis/dermatomyositis classification system, with attention to its malignancy association.