Skin disease in dermatomyositis

LC Zaba, DF Fiorentino - Current opinion in rheumatology, 2012 - journals.lww.com
LC Zaba, DF Fiorentino
Current opinion in rheumatology, 2012journals.lww.com
A more careful description and classification of skin disease in dermatomyositis may allow
the clinician to predict more accurately which patients will be at higher risk for cancer, lung
disease, or muscle inflammation. In addition, given the similarities in perturbed gene
expression between skin and muscle tissue, it is likely that analysis of a more readily
evaluable target organ such as skin might shed light on mechanisms of disease propagation
throughout the body.
Summary
A more careful description and classification of skin disease in dermatomyositis may allow the clinician to predict more accurately which patients will be at higher risk for cancer, lung disease, or muscle inflammation. In addition, given the similarities in perturbed gene expression between skin and muscle tissue, it is likely that analysis of a more readily evaluable target organ such as skin might shed light on mechanisms of disease propagation throughout the body.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins