Abstract

MUNOZ B., Eliana et al. Juvenile dermatomyositis. Rev. chil. pediatr. [online]. 2005, vol.76, n.4, pp. 404-409. ISSN 0370-4106.  doi: 10.4067/S0370-41062005000400011.

Introduction: Juvenile dermatomyositis is an idiopathic multisystemic disease characterized by striated muscle and skin inflammation. There is limited information about this entity in Chile. Objective: Describe clinical features, therapy and outcome of patients with Juvenile Dermatomyositis in Santiago, Chile. Methods: A retrospective study including all patients with diagnosis of juvenile dermatomyositis belonging to Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica and Hospital Sótero del Río between 1993 and 2003. Results: 9 girls and 2 boys were included with median age at diagnosis of 8 years-old. The interval between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was median 5 months and average follow-up period was 2 years (interval 6 months-58 months). The most common findings at onset were weakness and a characteristic skin rash. All patients were treated with steroids and 73% cases received metotrexate. At the end of the study, 73% of all patients achieved disease-remission. Conclusions: Favourable outcome of most patients could be related to early diagnosis and the use of inmunosuppressor agents

Keywords : Juvenile Dermatomyositis; miopathy; clinical features; laboratory; therapy.