Meeting the Challenges of the Dermatomyositis Workup: A Management Paradigm

Abstract

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare inflammatory myopathy with characteristic skin manifestations. This multisystem disorder is characterized by an increased frequency of pulmonary disease and malignancy. It has a female to male predominance of 2:1, with an average age at diagnosis of 40 years [1]. Diagnosing DM can be challenging due to the heterogeneity of presentations and clinical features that may overlap with other disorders. Although DM has had an established diagnostic criteria by Bohan and Peter since 1975, groups have re-examined the criteria to highlight the importance of skin findings [2-4]. This article will discuss the process of working-up dermatomyositis in an adult from a dermatologist’s point of view.