A Retrospective Evaluation of Children Diagnosed with Dermatomyositis: A Single-center Study

Objective: Juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are systemic autoimmune disorders that are characterized by chronic skeletal muscle inflammation, skin rashes and other systemic involvements. We analyzed the clinical findings, laboratory values at admission and treatment protocols and treatment responses of patients who were followed up with a diagnosis of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) in a department of pediatric neurology and rheumatology clinics. Methods: Fifteen patients who were referred to the department of pediatric neurology and pediatric rheumatology clinics, diagnosed with JDM between 2010 and 2017 were evaluated retrospectively via their medical records. Results: Of the study sample, 12 (80%) of the patients were female and 3 (20%) were male, and their mean age was 9.26±3.21 years. The mean time between complaint and diagnosis was 7.8±6 months, and the patients were followed up for 24.93±15.28 months after their diagnosis. The mean creatine kinase levels of the patients were 1.354±840 U/L. Fifteen (100%) of the patients had muscle weakness, 14 (93.3%) had Gottron’s papules and 12 (80%) patients had a heliotrope rash. Ten (66.6%) underwent muscle biopsy, 9 (60%) underwent electromyography and 5 (33.3%) patients underwent muscle magnetic resonance imaging. All the patients were treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. Conclusion: JDM is a rare inflammatory myopathy observed during childhood. Better responses can be achieved by early diagnosis, intensive immunosuppressive therapy and effective physical therapy.