title: [The clinical spectrum of dermatomyositis].
abstract: Dermatomyositis is characterized by marked clinical heterogeneity. Many classification schemes are available, based on internal organ involvement, presence of circulating autoantibodies and additional symptoms characteristic for other connective tissue diseases. Viral infections and underlying malignancies are possible mechanisms to trigger this autoimmune disease. Intensive clinical investigations to detect such malignancies are therefore required. The prognosis of the individual patient depends on the involvement of internal organs and the characterization of circulating autoantibodies. There are patients with rapidly developing subsets of dermatomyositis and those with slowly progressive disease. Therefore treatment has to be adjusted for the disease severity. Sometimes high dosages of corticosteroids in combination with immunosuppressive agents or immunoglobulins are required.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie der Universität zu Köln. jost@netcologne.de
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hunzelmann
authors.forename: Ekkehard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Genth
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krieg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011379:Prognosis; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate