Abstract
The clinical features of dermatomyositis (DM) have a close relationship with myositis-specific antibodies. Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a subgroup of DM, which manifests as characteristic skin symptoms compatible with DM, such as Gottron's sign and heliotrope rash with no or mild muscle symptoms. Sometimes, a life-threatening rapidly progressing interstitial lung disease can complicate CADM. In recent years, anti-CADM-140/MDA5 antibodies have been observed in serum obtained from patients with CADM. Thus, measurement of anti-CADM-140/MDA5 antibodies is useful for the diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of patients with CADM.
