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Myositis antibodies, clinical features may predict disease course in juvenile patients
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Myositis autoantibodies, particularly anti-p155/140, certain clinical features and environmental exposures were associated with a chronic disease course compared to patients with juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myositis who had a monocyclic or polycyclic course of disease, according to recently published research.
Researchers studied data from 365 juvenile patients with myositis with at least 2 years of follow-up data and patient details. The disease course was defined as monocyclic, if remission was achieved with no disease activity in at least 2 years; as polycyclic, if the patient had at least one episode of disease following a remission period; or as chronic, if the disease activity persisted for more than 2 years despite immunosuppressive therapy. Statistical analysis revealed no associations with disease course and age at onset, delay to diagnosis, sex, race or clinical subgroup.
Photosensitivity, cuticular overgrowth and the presence of anti-155/140 and anti-Ro antibodies, and other autoantibodies related to myositis were associated with chronic disease compared to the monocyclic disease course. Compared to polycyclic disease, severe symptoms at onset, V-sign or shawl rashes, contractures, dyspnea at rest and weight loss were associated with chronic disease.
A probable association was observed between elevated levels of aldolase and a polycyclic disease course, along with anti-MDA-5 antibodies and anti-155/140 autoantibodies, contractures, distal weakness and weight loss compared to patients with a monocyclic course of disease. No association with disease course was found with muscle and cutaneous symptoms scores, the presence of antinuclear antibodies and other serum muscle enzyme levels. – by Shirley Pulawski
Disclosures: The researchers report the work was supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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