A retrospective cohort study conducted at Johns Hopkins Myositis Center found that nearly one-third of patients with dermatomyositis experienced misdiagnosis, with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis patients facing higher rates of diagnostic errors and prolonged delays. The study evaluated 260 adults diagnosed with dermatomyositis or clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis between 2005 and 2023, revealing a higher misdiagnosis rate for amyopathic dermatomyositis patients, leading to longer diagnostic delays. The misdiagnoses included atypical cutaneous features, such as unspecified dermatitis and eczema, which were common among misdiagnosed cases. The study also indicated that misdiagnosed patients experienced higher hospitalization rates and poorer outcomes related to interstitial lung disease. The authors highlighted the importance of careful clinical evaluation of unusual cutaneous features for improved disease outcomes.

Source: JAMA Dermatology