Abstract
Existing classification systems for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) fail to permit classification and/or diagnosis of amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) in patients. In light of the new European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria for IIM, we evaluated the likelihood of the skin variables included in the EULAR/ACR criteria (Gottron's sign, Gottron's papules, and heliotrope rash) to give a high probability of classifying patients with ADM. This retrospective study evaluated 211 adult patients with dermatomyositis at the University of Pennsylvania. The EULAR/ACR criteria were used to determine the probability of classification for patients with ADM. Of patients with ADM, 73.7% would be classified as having a reasonable probability of dermatomyositis on the new EULAR/ACR criteria and 26.3% would not meet the suggested 55% minimum probability cutoff to be classified as having it on the basis of the EULAR/ACR criteria. This study was conducted with a retrospective design at a tertiary academic medical center. The 3 skin variables included in the EULAR/ACR classification criteria for IIM improve on previous criteria but miss classifying some patients with ADM. It is important to consider additional variables such as skin biopsy results to encompass more of these patients and prevent the inclusion of any skin diseases mimicking ADM.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
