Treat Cutaneous Manifestations of Dermatomyositis — Improve Quality of Life

Improvements in disease severity were accompanied by higher quality-of-life scores, less pain, and less itch.

Skin disease in patients with dermatomyositis is associated with poor quality of life. Effective treatments are associated with possible toxicity and can be quite costly. Insurers often deny coverage of therapies that might be effective, claiming that because the use is off-label, it is “experimental.” The efficacy of some potential therapies in improving quality of life has not been measured.

These investigators used a validated scoring system (Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Area and Severity Index [CDASI]) to measure treatment effectiveness in 45 patients. They also measured quality of life using the Skindex-29 and pain and itch using visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Patients were classified as responders or nonresponders to treatment dependin…

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)