Redefining Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a major clinical subset of autoimmune myositis (AIM). The characteristic DM rash (Gottron papules, heliotrope rash) and perifascicular atrophy at skeletal muscle biopsy are regarded as specific features for this diagnosis. However, new concepts are challenging the current definition of DM. A modified Bohan and Peter classification of AIM was proposed in which the core concept was the inclusion of the diagnostic significance of overlap connective this clinical classification, a DM rash in the absence of overlap features indicates a ever, overlap features in association with sed: June 24, 2014; accepted: July 14, 2014. icine, Division of Rheumatology, Hôpital du of Montreal School of Medicine, Montreal, t of Medicine, Divisions of Rheumatology R, TG, JLS), Internal Medicine (FJ, MK), re Hospitalier de l’Universit e de Montr eal, ol of Medicine, Montreal; Laboratory for Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de S, MK), Quebec, Canada; Veterans Affairs rsity of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, arch Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory (MJF), ity of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Sen ecal, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Universit e de Montr eal, 1560 Sherbrooke ntreal, Quebec, Canada, H2L 4M1 (e-mail: ts of interest: This work was supported in 6, MOP-68966, and MOP-81252 from the ealth Research (to JLS), by Department of Research Funds (to INT), and by donations c (JLS, MK) and Mrs Gisèle Sarrazin-Locas atory for Research in Autoimmunity. MJF iety Research Chair at the University of niversity of Montreal Scleroderma Research JRG, JBT, TG, FJ, MK, and JLS have no disclose. The authors listed below have t (personal or institutional) from the listed utical companies, unrelated to the present EN, BMS, Janssen, Roche, UCB, Warnera Medical Research Foundation Clinical UpToDate; JPR: Arthrolab, Amgen, BMS, Roche, Pfizer; ER: Abbvie, Amgen, BMS, UCB; MJF: EUROIMMUN, ImmunoCons. Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & ccess article distributed under the Creative 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribuedium, provided the original work is properly