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Improvement in the cutaneous disease activity of patients with dermatomyositis is associated with a better quality of life
Author(s) -
Robinson E.S.,
Feng R.,
Okawa J.,
Werth V.P.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.13167
Subject(s) - medicine , dermatomyositis , quality of life (healthcare) , visual analogue scale , disease , severity of illness , malignancy , physical therapy , dermatology , nursing
Summary Background Cutaneous dermatomyositis ( DM ) disease activity is associated with decreased quality of life. Objectives To assess if an improvement in quality of life, as measured by the Skindex‐29 and patient‐reported itch and pain on a 10‐point visual analogue scale ( VAS ), correlated with an improvement in cutaneous DM disease activity. Methods Patients with a completed cutaneous DM disease area and severity index [Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index ( CDASI )] at two visits separated by at least 2 months were classified into responder ( n = 15) and nonresponder ( n = 30) groups according to the point change in the CDASI activity scores between visits. Responders had at least a four‐point improvement in CDASI activity, indicating clinically relevant improvement. Results The change from baseline to the follow‐up visit of the Skindex‐29 subscale scores for the responders vs. the nonresponders were significantly different for emotions ( P < 0·01), functioning ( P < 0·01) and symptoms ( P < 0·01). The change in VAS score between responders and nonresponders was also significant for itch ( P = 0·01) and pain ( P = 0·04). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of disease subtype, sex, race, age, treatment for DM , smoking history or a history of malignancy within 5 years of a diagnosis of DM . Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate that the quality of life of patients with DM improved as their cutaneous disease activity decreased.