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Anti-MDA5 antibodies observed in patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis
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Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibodies were observed in the sera of European patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis, according to findings from a recently published study.
Researchers collected and analyzed sera from 76 Italian patients diagnosed with polymyositis or dermatomyositis. Thirty-four patients had dermatomyositis (DM), 30 had polymyositis (PM) and 12 were diagnosed with both. Diagnoses were confirmed using Targoff criteria, and average age of disease onset was 44.5 years. Gender and age ratios were similar in each group. Median duration of follow-up was 50 months.
Analysis results revealed anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) antibodies in five patients (7%), each of whom were diagnosed with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM), representing 34% of the DM group.
Anti-MDA5 antibodies were the most commonly identified among patients with DM (24%), followed by anti-p140 kDa (or anti-MJ) antibodies, according to the researchers.
Other antibodies identified in the DM cohort were anti-p155/150 (12%), anti-PM/Scl (9%), anti-EJ (6%), anti-Mi2 (6%) and anti-U1RNP (6%). However, in 24% of the DM group and 25% of the total patient population, no known myositis-related antibodies were observed.
The five patients with CADM had a significantly higher incidence of interstitial lung disease compared with those negative for the anti-MDA5 antibody, similar to results shown in Asian and U.S. populations, according to the researchers. No other significant clinical associations were made.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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