UV and Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies: Evidence for a Connection with Dermatomyositis but Not Polymyositis

Is UV radiation causative as well as aggravating?

Ultraviolet radiation has a number of deleterious effects on human health. It causes photoaging of the skin and skin cancer and also has a provocative effect on such autoimmune diseases as lupus and dermatomyositis. In dermatomyositis, UV radiation can cause photosensitive skin rash and may exacerbate the underlying disease process itself. To investigate the relation between UV exposure and dermatomyositis, researchers examined the records of 380 patients (78% women) with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (dermatomyositis 178, and polymyositis, 202) for correlation between the clinical and immunologic expression of the disease and UV intensity. The average UV index for the geographic area of residence at the time of disease onset was used …

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)