Malignancy Is (Still) Associated with Dermatomyositis

Skin changes signal cancer risk in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.

In the late 1970s, during my residency, I collaborated with rheumatologists on a study (Arch Dermatol 1980; 116:295) showing that malignancy was significantly more associated with dermatomyositis (DM) than with polymyositis (PM). Subsequent population-based studies in Scandinavia and Scotland confirmed our observation.

In the present study, researchers performed a chart review and validated diagnoses of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy to compare the incidence of malignancy in these patients with the standardized incidence in that geographic region (Vermont and New Hampshire). Of the 198 patients, 61 had DM, 63 had PM, 23 had amyopathic DM, 22 had mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), 11 had inclusion-body myositis (IBM), and…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)