Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2019, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (11): 796-800.doi: 10.35541/cjd.20190322

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Clinical features of anti-signal recognition particle antibody-positive patients with dermatomyositis or clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis

Zhu Xueqing1, Xue Ke1, Ruan Yeping1, Diao Licheng1, Zhao Xiaoqing1, Du Lianjun2, Li Hao3, Cao Hua1, Zheng Jie1   

  1. 1Department of Dermatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; 2Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; 3Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
  • Received:2019-02-19 Revised:2019-04-29 Online:2019-11-15 Published:2019-11-04
  • Contact: Zheng Jie; Cao Hua E-mail:jiezheng2001@126.com; drcaohua@126.com
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China (81573037, 81872523); National Clinical Key Subject Construction Project(2012649); Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission Medical Guide Project(134119a6100); Clinical Research Plan of Shanghai Shen-kang Hospital Development Center (16CR3084B); Shanghai Municipal Education Commission-Gaofeng Clinical Medicine Grant Support (20172009)

Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the clinical features of anti-signal recognition particle (SRP)antibody-positive patients with dermatomyositis/clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis(DM/CADM). Methods Clinical data were collected from 90 patients with DM/CADM, who were hospitalized at the Department of Dermatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2015 to July 2017. Immunoblotting assay was performed to determine the serum level of anti-SRP antibody in these patients. Statistical analysis was carried out using t test and Chi-square test. Results Of the 90 patients with DM/CADM, 11 (12.2%) were positive for serum anti-SRP antibody, including 6 with DM and 5 with CADM. Among 82 adult patients with DM/CADM, the prevalence of malignant tumors was significantly higher in the patients with anti-SRP antibody than in those without (7/9 vs. 31.5% [23/73], χ2 = 7.394, P = 0.006). The 11 patients with anti-SRP antibody had typical DM skin lesions, and their cutaneous dermatomyositis disease area and severity index(CDASI)was 18.1 ± 2.9. The prevalence of “angel wings sign” (aliform erythema on the trunk) was significantly higher in the patients with anti-SRP antibody than in those without (7/11 vs. 29.9% [20/67], Fisher′s exact test, P = 0.028). The positive rate of antinuclear antibody was significantly higher in the patients with anti-SRP antibody than in those without (4/8 vs. 16.7% [13/78], χ2 = 6.053, P = 0.014). Magnetic resonance imaging of muscles of both thighs of the 10 patients with anti-SRP antibody (6 with DM and 4 with CADM) showed the presence of abnormal signals in the thigh muscle group in 8, swelling of the muscle group in 2, subcutaneous edema in 2, myofascial swelling in 1, and no abnormities in 2. No interstitial lung disease or myocardial involvement was observed in the patients with anti-SRP antibody. Conclusions The anti-SRP antibody-positive patients with DM/CADM showed a high prevalence of “angel wings sign”, and a high risk of malignant tumors. Early detection of the anti-SRP antibody in patients with DM/CADM is helpful to predict the occurrence of malignant tumors.

Key words: Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Signal recognition particle, Skin manifestations