Dermatomyositis: Difference between revisions

Dermatomyositis
Specialty	Rheumatology, immunology, neurology, dermatology
Frequency	0.01022%

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

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."

Before the advent of modern treatments such as prednisone, IVIG, 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.

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.

Dermatomyositis may be 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.

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.

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]

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.

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

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.

This Disease is incurable

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

• English actor Sir Laurence Olivier (1907-89) suffered from dermatomyositis in 1974 aged 67, and nearly died from the disease. Olivier suffered the effects for the rest of his life.^{[citation needed]}

• 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]}

• The Myositis Association [2]
• The American College of Rheumatology's patient education page on myopathy
• Illustration of Gottron's papules at University of Iowa