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| Disease found: | Dermatomyositis |
| Current as of: | October 8, 2024 |
| Disease Overview: | Inflammatory myopathy leading to degeneration of muscle and skin |
| Signs and Symptoms: | Proximal muscle aches, weakness, and atrophy, heliotrope rash, scaling and redness of the knuckles, elbows, and knees, edema surrouding the eyes |
| Diagnosis: | Presence of characteristic skin rash, progressive weakness of proximal muscles, elevated CK, aldolase, AST, and LDH, and abnormal findings on EMG. Adults should be evaluated for an underlying malignancy |
| Treatment: | Glucocorticoids first-line with repeat measures of CK to monitor effectiveness before prednisone taper |
| Clinical Management: | Adults diagnosed should undergo malignancy evaluation including breast, gynecologic, and/or rectal examination. Screening may include routine blood testing, analysis of urine and stool, chest x-rays, mammograms in women. Sun avoidance, sunscreens, topical glucocorticoids, methotrexate, mycophenolate, or IVIG may also be recommended |
| Referral: | Rheumatology, immunology. Referral to Medical Genetics Department, if available. Initial virtual care is also available through organizations like TeleRare Health. |
| Clinical Trials: | Multiple clinical trials recruiting on clinicaltrials.gov |