Dermatomyositis Skin Disease Affects Quality of Life

. . . and activity of the skin disease is directly correlated with QoL scores.

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy that can affect both the skin and the musculoskeletal system. The Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Area and Severity Index (CDASI) was recently validated as a tool for quantitatively assessing the cutaneous symptoms of DM. Up to now, only one published report has assessed the impact of DM on patients' quality of life (QoL).

These authors examined the impact of DM on patients' QoL using both clinical findings and dermatologic and global medical QoL measures. The researchers correlated QoL with activity of disease as measured by the CDASI. They then compared these data with data gathered from patients with other dermatologic and nondermatologic diseases. The study included 97 DM patients age…

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)