Dermatomyositis
Classification and external resources
X-Ray of the knee in a patient with dermatomyositis.
ICD-10	M33.0-M33.1
ICD-9	710.3
DiseasesDB	10343
MedlinePlus	000839
eMedicine	med/2608 derm/98
MeSH	D003882

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a connective-tissue disease related to polymyositis (PM) that is characterized by inflammation of the muscles and the skin.

Contents 1 Causes 2 Prognosis 3 Presentation 4 Classification 5 Signs and symptoms 6 Pathology 7 Microscopic findings 8 Mechanism 9 Differential diagnosis 10 Treatment 11 Notable individuals with dermatomyositis 12 See also 13 References 14 External links

[edit] Causes

The cause is unknown, but it may result from either a viral infection or an autoimmune reaction. Some cases of dermatomyositis actually "overlap" (are combined with) another autoimmune disease such as lupus, scleroderma, or vasculitis. Because of the link between DM and autoimmune disease, doctors and patients suspecting DM may find it helpful to run an ANA - antinuclear antibody - test, which in cases of a lupus-like nature may be positive (usually from 1:160 to 1:640, with normal ranges at 1:40 and below).^{[citation needed]}

Some cases of DM are a paraneoplastic phenomenon, indicating the presence of cancer.^[1] In cases involving cancer, the cancer is usually pre-existent, with removal of the cancer resulting in remission of the DM. The onset of a rash in patients with pre-existing myositis requires investigation of the neoplastic possibility.

In his 1988 article, Clinical pathologic correlations of Lyme disease by stage, noted Lyme disease researcher Dr. Alan Steere observed, "[...] the perivascular lymphoid infiltrate in clinical myositis does not differ from that seen in polymyositis or dermatomyositis. All of these histologic derangements suggest immunologic damage in response to persistence of the spirochete, however few in number."

[edit] Prognosis

Before the advent of modern treatments such as prednisone, Intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, chemotherapies, and other drugs, prognosis was poor. ^[2] Now, in the 21st century, there are numerous treatments and immune-modulating drugs. Fortunately, over 90% of patients today will do well for many years, with remission being a possibility. However, it is still important that treatment begin as soon as possible.

[edit] Presentation

X-ray findings sometimes include dystrophic calcifications in the muscles, and patients may or may not notice small calcium deposits under the skin. Many do not have any calcium deposits of any kind. The rash also may come and go, and may not be dependent on the severity of the muscle involvement at the time. "Gottron's papules", pink patches on the knuckles, and priapism, are associated with this disorder.

Another concern is interstitial lung disease.

Based on the conclusion of the paper "Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in Polymyositis and dermatomyositis" by Maryann Fathi and Ingrid E Lundberg published 12/13/2005:

Investigations to detect interstitial lung disease should be performed during the initial evaluation as well as during follow-up of patients with myositis, because ILD is a frequent manifestation in patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis and because ILD is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This evaluation should include chest radiograph, HRCT of lungs, pulmonary function tests including diffusing capacity, and serum levels of anti-Jo1 antibodies. In the patients with ILD, clinical or subclinical, treatment with high doses of corticosteroids in combination with other immunosuppressive therapy should be initiated. Some histopathologic features including DAD, UIP, neutrophil alveolitis, digital infarcts showing microangiopathy in dermatomyositis, and amyopathic dermatomyositis have all been reported as risk factors for poor outcome. Presence of these factors suggests the use of aggressive immunosuppressive therapy (i.e. Methotrexate) and careful monitoring of lung function.

[edit] Classification

Dermatomyositis is a type of autoimmune connective tissue disease.^[3] It is related to polymyositis and inclusion body myositis.

There is a form of this disorder that strikes children, known as juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM). For the most part Juvenile dermatomyositis is the same as the adult form, but the relationship with cancer is far lower, or non-existent.

[edit] Signs and symptoms

The main symptoms include skin rash and symmetric proximal muscle weakness which may be accompanied by pain. The pain may resemble the type experienced after strenuous exercise. Some DM patients have little pain, while in others (esp. in JDM), the pain may be severe. It is important to remember that this condition varies from person to person in many ways. Also in many cases muscle may deteriorate and render the infected temporarily paralyzed unable to walk, run, get out of bed, or even swallow food and liquids.

Skin findings occur in DM but not PM and are generally present at diagnosis. Gottron's sign is an erythematous, scaly eruption occurring in symmetric fashion over the MCP and interphalangeal joints (can mimic psoriasis). Heliotrope or "lilac" rash ^[4] is a violaceous eruption on the upper eyelids, often with swelling (most specific, though uncommon). Shawl (or V-) sign is a diffuse, flat, erythematous lesion over the chest and shoulders or in a "V" over the anterior neck and chest, worsened with UV light. Erythroderma is a flat, erythematous lesion similar to the shawl sign but located in other areas, such as the malar region and the forehead. Periungual telangiectasias and erythema occur.

Mechanic's hands (also in PM) refers to rough, cracked skin at the tips and lateral aspects of the fingers forming irregular dirty-appearing lines that resemble those seen in a laborer (this is also associated with the anti-synthetase syndrome). See: sclerodactyly. Psoriaform changes in the scalp can occur. Centripetal flagellate erythema comprises linear, violaceous streaks on the trunk (possibly caused by itching pruritic skin). Calcinosis cutis (deposition of calcium in the skin) is usually seen in juvenile DM, not adult DM. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is another feature, occurring in as many as 33% of cases.

[edit] Pathology

The diagnosis of dermatomyositis can be confirmed by muscle biopsy, EMG,and blood tests. It should be noted, however, that only muscle biopsy is truly diagnostic (pathognomic); liver enzymes and EMG are relatively non-specific. Liver enzymes, specificly creatine phosphokinase (CPK), are the major tool in assessing the progress of the disease and/or the efficacy of treatment. On the muscle biopsy, there are two classic microscopic findings of dermatomyositis. They are:

• A mixed B- and T-cell perivascular inflammatory infiltrate
• Perifascicular muscle fiber atrophy

Dermatomyositis is associated with autoantibodies, especially anti-Jo1 antibody.^[5]

[edit] Microscopic findings

Cross sections of muscle reveal muscle fascicles with small, shrunken polygonal muscle fibers on the periphery of a fascicle surrounding central muscle fibers of normal, uniform size.

Aggregates of mature lymphocytes with small, dark nuclei and scant cytoplasm are seen surrounding vessels. Other inflammatory cells are distinctly uncommon. Immunohistochemistry can be used to demonstrate that both B- and T-cells are present in approximately equal numbers.

[edit] Mechanism

The mechanism is conjectured to be complement-mediated damage of microscopic vessels with muscle atrophy and lymphocytic inflammation secondary to tissue ischemia.^[6]

[edit] Differential diagnosis

Dermatomyositis must be differentiated from other common, lymphocyte predominant inflammatory myopathies. If present, the characteristic perifascicular atrophy makes this distinction trivial.

There is some overlap in the microscopic appearances of different inflammatory myopathies, but some helpful differences are often present.^[7] The rimmed vacuoles of inclusion body myositis (IBM) are absent in dermatomyositis. Polymyositis is characterised by diffuse or patchy inflammation of the muscle fascicles, a random pattern of muscle atrophy, and T-cell predominance with T-cells seen invading otherwise viable appearing muscle fibers.^[1] Pubmed reports 14 articles where Dermatomyositis and Lyme Disease are associated.

[edit] Treatment

This disease is incurable. Medications to help relieve symptoms include:

1. Prednisolone
2. Methotrexate
3. Mycophenolate (CellCept / Myfortic)
4. Intravenous immunoglobulin
5. Azathioprine
6. Cyclophosphamide
7. Rituximab^[8]

[edit] Notable individuals with dermatomyositis

• Actor Laurence Olivier (1907-1989) suffered from dermatomyositis in 1974 aged 67, and nearly died from the disease.

• American footballer Ricky Bell, the 1976 Heisman Trophy runner up and #1 pick in the 1977 NFL draft, died at age 29 from the disease.^{[citation needed]}

• Rob Buckman doctor, comedian, author and president of the Humanist Association of Canada.

[edit] See also

• Poikiloderma vasculare atrophicans
• List of cutaneous conditions

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The Myositis Association [2]
• Muscular Dystrophy Association [3]
• The American College of Rheumatology's patient education page on myopathy
• Illustration of Gottron's papules at University of Iowa
• The Johns Hopkins Myositis Center [4]
• Myositis Support Group

v • d • e Systemic CT disorders (M32-M36, 710) Mixed connective tissue disease Systemic lupus erythematosus: Drug-induced SLE · Libman-Sacks endocarditis Dermatopolymyositis/Inflammatory myopathy/Myositis: Dermatomyositis (Juvenile dermatomyositis) · Polymyositis · Inclusion body myositis Scleroderma: Systemic scleroderma (Progressive systemic sclerosis, CREST syndrome) Other hypersensitivity/autoimmune Sjögren's syndrome Other Behçet's disease · Polymyalgia rheumatica · Eosinophilic fasciitis · Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome muscle, DF+DRCT navs: anat/hist/physio, acquired myopathy/congenital myopathy/neoplasia, symptoms+signs/eponymous, proc

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