Clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with objective flares in patients with dermatomyositis
Authors' conclusion
In this tertiary care center cohort of DM patients, patient-reported symptoms of increased disease activity were often indicative of objective flare. We identified Black race and shorter time to diagnosis as risk factors for flare.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with Dermatomyositis (DM) fulfilling the 2017 EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria, Johns Hopkins Myositis Center
- Participants
- 637 patients
- Outcome
- Characteristics and risk factors of objective flare (active disease on exam or ancillary testing resulting in increased immunosuppressive therapy); time to first flare
Methodological detailssingle-centre, tertiary care, Cox proportional hazards models, Two authors reviewed all notes
- Single-centre
- Tertiary care
- Cox proportional hazards models
- Two authors reviewed all notes
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Findings of flare
- Rash (most common finding of flare)
- 75.7%
- Muscle weakness
- 58.4%
- New/worsening findings on lung function tests and/or imaging
- 19.0%
- Arthritis
- 12.4%
- Patients reporting rash, weakness, dyspnea, joint swelling, dysphagia or fever who met objective flare definition
- Over 85%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Cancer diagnosis within 6-24-months of objective flare
- Patients with objective flare with cancer diagnosis
- 2-5%
Flares in newly diagnosed patients (subset)
- ≥1 flare during follow-up
- 26%
- Incidence rate of flares, per 100 person-years
- 5.1
- Average time from diagnosis to first flare, years (SD 2.3; range 6.2 months to 10.8 years)
- 2.9
Original publication
Clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with objective flares in patients with dermatomyositis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 16 February 2026. doi:10.
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