The epidemiology of dermatomyositis in northwestern Thrace region in Turkey: epidemiology of dermatomyositis in Turkey

Abstract

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare disease that may affect the skeletal muscles and the skin. Literature data on its incidence and prevalence are limited. There are no data on its incidence or prevalence in Turkey. Patients diagnosed with DM at the Trakya University Medical Faculty, Department of Rheumatology from November 2004 to November 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' clinical and demographic features, laboratory data, treatment modalities, follow-up durations, disease courses, outcomes, and complications were evaluated. Our study included 23 patients with DM; 14 were females and 9 were males (female/male: 1.55). Over the course of the study, the annual incidence of DM was 3.7 per million (95% CI 0-18.8) person years, and the overall prevalence was 32.2 per million (95% CI 18.1-46.3). Incidence in women was higher (4.6/1,000,000 person years) compared to men (2.9/1,000,000 person years). The frequencies of most common findings were as follows: heliotrope rash (82.6%), Gottron papules (87%), proximal myopathy (78.3%), and facial erythema (60.9%). In our hospital-based study, the frequency of DM was lower than those reported in North America; however, they were similar to European countries.