In active juvenile dermatomyositis, elevated eotaxin and MCP-1 and cholesterol levels in the upper normal range are associated with cardiac dysfunction.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of chemokines and lipids on cardiac function in patients with active and inactive JDM and matched controls.

Methods: Fifty-four JDM patients were clinically examined a median 16.8 years (range 2-38) after disease onset and compared with 54 sex- and age-matched controls. Inactive disease was defined by the PRINTO criteria. Serum levels of chemokines were analysed by Luminex technology. Echocardiography was performed and analysed blinded to patient information. Long-axis strain and e' were used as parameters of systolic and diastolic function, respectively.

Results: In patients, but not in controls, eotaxin and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) correlated with systolic (r = -0.65 and r = -0.45) and diastolic (r = -0.59 and r = -0.65) function, particularly in those with active disease (systolic function, r = -0.74 and r = -0.60; diastolic function, r = -0.69 and r = -0.80). Total cholesterol level was lower in patients than controls [mean 4.19 mmol/l (s.d. 0.82) vs 4.60 (0.87), P ≤ 0.01]. However, total cholesterol levels in the upper normal range were associated with systolic (r = -0.56, P < 0.01) and diastolic (r = -0.64, P < 0.001) dysfunction and with high eotaxin and MCP-1 (r = 0.56 and r = 0.50, P < 0.01) in patients with active disease, but not in those with inactive disease or in controls (all r < ±0.2).

Conclusion: In the active disease state of JDM, eotaxin and MCP-1 were associated with cardiac dysfunction, possibly through sustained inflammation. In those with active disease and cholesterol levels in the upper normal range, eotaxin and MCP-1 might enhance susceptibility to cardiac dysfunction.