MSK: Dermatomyositis: Free MSRA Podcast

🎧FREE MSRA PODCAST –Dermatomyositis: Weakness, Rashes & Red Flags 💪🌸In this focused deepdive, we unpack everything you need for the MSRAabout dermatomyositis – the autoimmune condition that uniquely affects bothmuscle and skin. Learn the clinical signs, investigationstrategy, and management plan,plus the cancer screening musts. 🧠Key Learning Points –Dermatomyositis Made Easy✅Definition• Inflammatory autoimmune myopathy• Characterised by proximal muscle weakness + distinctive rashes• Think: Heliotrope rash around the eyes, Gottron’s papules on the knuckles 🔍Causes & RiskFactors• Trigger = Unknown,but likely autoimmune + environmental• Strong association with malignancy (esp. ovarian,lung, breast)• Other riskfactors: Genetic susceptibility, viralinfections, autoimmune overlap 📈Epidemiology• Rare: ~1–10 per million per year in the UK• Affects both children and adults• Slight female predominance 🩻Clinical Features –Mnemonic: “Muscles & Markings”• Proximal symmetrical weakness – hips,shoulders, neck• Skin features: 🌺 Heliotrope rash – purplish eyes 🤲 Gottron’s papules – raised over knuckles 👕 Shawl sign – rash over back/shoulders 🔧 Mechanic’s hands – rough cracked palms• Additional:Fatigue, joint pain, Raynaud’s, dysphagia, ILD,cardiac symptoms 🧪Investigations –Mnemonic: “CAMME”CK – usually highAutoantibodies – ANA, anti-Jo-1, anti-Mi-2,anti-SRPMRI – to detect muscle oedemaMuscle biopsy – for confirmation (goldstandard)EMG – to differentiate myopathy vs neuropathy 💊Management –Mnemonic: “SPIN”Steroids – mainstay (high-dose prednisolone)Physical therapy – regain strengthImmunosuppressants – methotrexate,azathioprine, mycophenolateNewer agents – IVIG, rituximab for refractorycases🌞Sun protection essential for photosensitive rash🍽️SLT referral for dysphagia🫁 Aggressive treatment if lung involvement present 📉Prognosis &Complications• Variable: Someremit, others relapse• Prognosis worsewith: – Malignancy – Cardiac / ILD involvement – Older age / male sex• Key complications: – Interstitial lung disease – Dysphagia → aspiration – Calcinosis (esp. in kids) – Steroid side effects – Malignancy 📎More MSRA RevisionResources – Dermatomyositis📝 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/dermatomyositis-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/dermatomyositis-flashcards/📖 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/dermatomyositis-accordion-qa-notes/🎯 Rapid Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/dermatomyositis-rapid-quiz/🧪 Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/dermatomyositis/ 🌐 Explore more revision tools:✅PassTheMSRA.com🔓FreeMSRA.com Hashtags#MSRA#Dermatomyositis #MSRARevision #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQuiz #RheumatologyMSRA#AutoimmuneMyopathy #MSRAAccordions #HeliotropeRash #GottronsPapules#PassTheMSRA #FreeMSRA