Lower extremity lipedema, upper extremity lipodystrophy and severe calcinosis complicating juvenile dermatomyositis.

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare but complex and potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease of childhood. Significant proportions of patients have residual weakness, muscle atrophy, joint contractures, and calcinosis. Recently, new clinical findings, such as lipodystrophy accompanied with increased fat deposition in certain areas, have been reported.

Construct validity and reliability of ultrasound disease activity score in assessing joint inflammation in RA: comparison with DAS-28.

Objective: To investigate the construct validity and reliability of US DAS compared with 28-joint DAS (DAS-28) in assessing joint inflammation and in prediction of structural damage in patients with RA.

Methods: Ninety patients with active RA were prospectively recruited and followed up during the 6 months of treatment. The patients underwent clinical, laboratory and X-ray assessment, along with blinded power Doppler US (PDUS) and grey-scale (GS) US (GSUS) examination at baseline and 6 months.