Nailfold microscopy in adult-onset dermatomyositis in association with myositis antibodies.

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an immune mediated inflammatory disease classically associated with muscular and cutaneous involvement. Existing studies have suggested characteristic nailfold findings may be observed in DM, indicating a potential role for nailfold microscopic examination in the diagnosis of DM. To that end, we performed a systematic review of literature pertaining to nailfold microscopic, capillaroscopic, and dermoscopic findings observed in patients with DM, with a secondary review of the association of nailfold microscopic findings with myositis-specific antibody (MSA) and myositis-associated antibody (MAA) status.

Control of dermatomyositis skin disease activity lags behind control of muscles disease activity during the early treatment stages of classic dermatomyositis: A retrospective, single-centre study.

This study aimed to retrospectively identify differences in relative control of cutaneous and muscular disease activity in adult dermatomyositis (DM) patients at a single, tertiary care centre following initiation of diagnosis and treatment. Our results demonstrated a significantly lower complete treatment response rate of skin disease compared to muscular disease at 6-months and persistent but not statistically significant lower skin disease response at 12 months. These results suggest DM skin disease activity may be more refractory to treatment than muscle disease activity, especially in the early disease phase.

Development of chilblain lesions during the COVID-19 pandemic is strongly associated with cold weather: a retrospective analysis of patients from a single centre in the USA.

This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the association between chilblain lesions and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results demonstrate a stronger and more significant association between incidence of chilblain cases and monthly temperature compared with incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These results suggest cold weather was an important risk factor for developing chilblains during the COVID-19 pandemic.