Abstract: 【Abstract】 At present, the Bohan and Peter criteria are the most widely used criteria for the diagnosis of dermatomyositis, which require patients to meet at least 2 criterion items for myositis in addition to typical skin lesions before the diagnosis of dermatomyositis. Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis（CADM） has been excluded due to the absence of myositis manifestations, resulting in a lack of early studies on this type of dermatomyositis, and little attention has been paid to it by clinicians. In addition, the diagnosis of CADM depends on the understanding of skin lesions and their histopathological manifestations. Because of atypical early skin lesions, CADM is often misdiagnosed as rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, lupus erythematosus and other diseases, which affects the early diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients. This article summarizes the evolution of diagnostic criteria for CADM, in order to promote its early recognition and diagnosis, and also to provide a basis for future clinical research.

Key words: Dermatomyositis, Diagnosis, Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis, Diagnostic criteria