Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with characteristic skin manifestations. Although the disorder is rare, with a prevalence of on e to 10 cases per million in adults and one to 3.2 cases per million in chi ldren, early recognition and treatment are important ways to decrease the m orbidity of systemic complications. An association with other connective ti ssue disorders (overlap syndrome) and malignancy make this diagnosis partic ularly important to primary care physicians. Patient management includes ca reful evaluation for underlying malignancy and liberal use of physical ther apy, antihistamines, sunscreen and oral corticosteroids. Poor prognostic in dicators include poorly responsive disease, delay in diagnosis and the pres ence of malignancy. The therapeutic goal is to maintain function and preven t or minimize sequelae.