Study throws light on dermatomyositis surge during COVID-19 pandemic in Mumbai

Viruses have been know to modify the clinical picture of several autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, and type 1 diabetes. Also, viral infections are considered a possible trigger for autoimmune disorders like myositis through myositis specific antibodies. 

Dermatomyositis is an acquired inflammatory myopathy which is relatively rare with incidence of 9.3 per 1 million persons. According to the authors, usually there are about 1-2 cases of dermatomyositis per year, among 800-1000 new patients in their tertiary care rheumatology services. However, an increase in the cases was noted this year during the months of April-August of 2020, the time period during which coronavirus spread in the city. 

Source: JAPI 

"The sudden spur in dermatomyositis cases coinciding with peak of COVID-19 pandemic points to an epidemiological cause and effect relationship between the two. Similarities between acute respiratory distress syndrome of COVID -19 pneumonia and Anti MDA 5," concluded the authors. "Positive dermatomyositis associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease reinforces this observation which is supported by the role of MDA-5 in innate immunity against viruses. Five cases of dermatomyositis in six months during COVID-19 pandemic raises a possibility of COVID-19 triggered dermatomyositis which needs to be studied in detail.

"Dermatomyositis during COVID-19 Pandemic (A Case Series): Is there a Cause Effect Relationship?," is published in the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India.

DOI: https://www.japi.org/x264a464/dermatomyositis-during-covid-19-pandemic-a-case-series-is-there-a-cause-effect-relationship