Safety and Efficacy of Long-term Use of Infliximab in Severe Juvenile Dermatomyositis - 12 Years of Follow-up

Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2024 Nov;32(2):109-112.

Abstract

Juvenile dermatomyositis with emphasized vasculopathy is rare, but the most severe form of the disease, with a poor prognosis with relapsing and chronic course or, in some cases, lethal outcome. We present a case of a 19-year-old Caucasian female, who developed severe acute juvenile dermatomyositis with emphasized multisystem vasculopathy, including retinal vasculopathy and maculopathy (cotton-wool spots, retinal hemorrhages, macular edema) at the age of 8. Due to no response to standard treatment protocols and rapid worsening of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, a TNF inhibitor (infliximab) was introduced after the third week of treatment resulting in complete normalisation of muscle enzyme levels and complete resolution of eye changes within the next 2 weeks with a gradual general recovery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first long-term follow-up of an early TNF inhibitor introduction in a patient with acute, severe form of juvenile dermatomyositis and retinal vasculopathy. After 12 years of infliximab therapy, the outcome was excellent, with no side effects throughout the whole treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dermatomyositis* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infliximab* / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Infliximab
  • Dermatologic Agents