[Classic/amyopathic dermatomyositis].
Dermatomyositis (DM) is an inflammatory myopathy characterized by a typical cutaneous rash and proximal weakness. DM results from endothelium deposition of the complement membranolytic attack complex C5b-9, followed by inflammation. It is thus possible to have cases of DM with the typical rash, but with no associated myositis--amiopathic DM. DM represents a higher risk of association with malignancy and sometimes behaves as a paraneoplastic syndrome. As DM can be the alarm sign, once diagnosed, exclusion of malignancy should be done. In this article we also discuss the treatment and prognosis of dermatomyositis, according to the literature.
Serviço de Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Hospital Pulido Valente, Lisboa.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000032:analysis; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D012867:Skin / Q000201:enzymology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003402:Creatine Kinase