Early diagnosis and treatment for remission of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis complicated by rapid progress interstitial lung disease: a report of two cases

Mod Rheumatol. 2013 Jan;23(1):190-4. doi: 10.1007/s10165-012-0637-6. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

Abstract

We report two cases of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) complicated by rapid progress interstitial lung disease (RPILD). The diagnosis of CADM was based on Gottron's papule and RPILD, and the absence of muscle weakness. The female patients were treated with early immunosuppressive therapies including steroid pulse therapy, resulting in significant improvement in respiratory symptoms, clinical data, and imaging. Measurement of anti-CADM-140/MDA5 antibody was useful for obtaining a definitive diagnosis of CADM in these cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Dermatomyositis / complications
  • Dermatomyositis / diagnosis*
  • Dermatomyositis / drug therapy*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / complications
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Prognosis
  • Pulse Therapy, Drug
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Recovery of Function
  • Remission Induction
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • CADM-140 peptide, human
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Peptides

Supplementary concepts

  • Amyopathic dermatomyositis