Rheumatology Advance Access published online on February 27, 2008
Rheumatology, doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ken038
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Assessment of an infectious disease history preceding juvenile dermatomyositis symptom onset
1Division of Rheumatology, 2Division of Infectious Diseases, 3Division of Rheumatology & Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and 4Department of Pediatrics, Health Policy Management and Evaluation & Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Correspondence to:
B. M. Feldman, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada. E-mail: brian.feldman{at}sickkids.ca
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Abstract |
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Objectives. A number of studies have looked at the role of infectious diseases in triggering juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Previous studies have found a moderately high frequency of infectious symptoms prior to disease onset; however, no specific pathogens could be identified. We sought to correlate preceding infectious symptoms with onset and outcomes of JDM.
Methods. We studied an inception cohort of all JDM cases diagnosed at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) between 1988 and 2006. Data pertaining to symptoms at onset, diagnosis and disease outcomes were abstracted. Two independent paediatric infectious disease specialists reviewed all records of patients with symptoms or tests suggestive of infection.
Results. A total of 110 patients were reviewed; of these, 78 had sufficient information about disease onset for inclusion. Potential indications of an infectious process prior to JDM onset were found in 55/78 (71%) patients and were further evaluated for evidence of infection temporally associated with symptom onset. Features suggestive of infection prior to JDM symptom onset were found in 40/55 [probable (30/40) or possible (10/40)]. Most children with probable infections had respiratory illnesses [24/30 (80%)]. Fewer patients than expected had disease onset during summer months. The presence of an infection at onset was not found to be associated with differences in characteristics at diagnosis or disease outcomes.
Conclusions. A substantial number of JDM patients have a clinical history consistent with an infection prior to onset. Newly diagnosed patients should undergo a full infectious disease assessment as part of their initial work-up; specific attention should be given to respiratory infections.
KEY WORDS: Juvenile dermatomyositis, Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, Infection, Autoimmunity, Seasons
Submitted 21 June 2007;
revised version accepted 15 January 2008.
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