Dermatomyositis is a rare chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects the skin and striated muscles. Its prognosis is linked to visceral involvement (lungs, heart, and oropharyngeal region) and to the possible presence of associated cancer. The implementation of the research will allow identification of incident cases of dermatomyositis in Guadeloupe and the characterization of the disease in the overseas population, in the absence of data in the literature.
In the French West Indies, this condition is associated with high short- and medium-term morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic delays and patient care pathways may help explain this. However, a particularly severe phenotype of the disease in Antillean patients may also play a role, as observed in other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases we have described in overseas populations (e.g., systemic sclerosis, sarcoidosis). Identifying factors associated with the severity of dermatomyositis at the time of diagnosis would allow for the early implementation of a tailored management strategy to improve the disease prognosis in the target population.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
10
CHU de la Guadeloupe
Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe
RECRUITINGseverity of dermatomyositis at diagnosis
The primary outcome measure is the severity of dermatomyositis at diagnosis, defined by the presence of one or more of the following criteria: Muscle involvement resulting in functional disability; Associated visceral involvement, including the heart, lungs, or oropharyngeal region; Associated cancer, either previously diagnosed within the past three years or diagnosed concurrently with dermatomyositis.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (diagnosis).
Mortality
Number of participants who die from any cause during the follow-up period. Units: Count of participants
Time frame: Assessed over 2 years from the date of dermatomyositis diagnosis
Relapse Occurrence
Number of participants experiencing relapse(s) during treatment tapering or after treatment discontinuation. Units: Count of participants
Time frame: Assessed over 2 years from the date of dermatomyositis diagnosis
Cancer Occurrence
Number of participants diagnosed with any cancer during the follow-up period. Units: Count of participants
Time frame: Assessed over 2 years from the date of dermatomyositis diagnosis
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