Muscle Biopsy Findings in Combination With Myositis-Specific Autoantibodies Aid Prediction of Outcomes in Juvenile Dermatomyositis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare and severe autoimmune condition characterized by rash and proximal muscle weakness. While some patients respond to standard treatment, others do not. This study was carried out to investigate whether histopathologic findings and myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) have prognostic significance in juvenile DM.

Methods

Muscle biopsy samples (n = 101) from patients in the UK Juvenile Dermatomyositis Cohort and Biomarker Study were stained, analyzed, and scored for severity of histopathologic features. In addition, autoantibodies were measured in the serum or plasma of patients (n = 90) and longitudinal clinical data were collected (median duration of follow-up 4.9 years). Long-term treatment status (on or off medication over

SUBMITTER: Deakin CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5091622 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature