Abstract

Prior studies have estimated that up to 20% of adults with dermatomyositis (DM) have calcinosis, which can lead to significant morbidity. Identification of risk factors may provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis and ultimately therapy for this difficult clinical problem. Risk factors for calcinosis in adults with DM have not been extensively studied.To determine the prevalence of calcinosis and to identify associated clinical features in a cohort of extensively phenotyped adults with DM.A cross-sectional study of 126 patients diagnosed as having DM from January 1, 2006, through January 1, 2013, was performed. Patients were adults (=18 years of age) attending the Stanford University Medical Center clinic.Calcinosis, defined as the presence of calcium deposition in the skin and subcutaneous tissues on physical examination.Fourteen patients (11.1%) had calcinosis, with the extremities most commonly involved. Patients with vs those without calcinosis had a longer disease duration (median, 6.9 years; range, 2.4-18.1; vs median, 3.9 years; range, 0.2-19.2 years; P?=?.003) and more fingertip ulcers (50.0% vs 9.3%, P?

View details for DOI 10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.10416

View details for PubMedID 24869801