IFN-α levels correlate with muscle disease activity only in juvenile dermatomyositis patients with anti-MDA5+ autoantibodies
Authors' conclusion
The exclusive association of IFN-α levels with muscle clinical score in anti-MDA5-positive patients suggests a subgroup-specific pathophysiological mechanism.
Study context
- Population
- Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) patients from two independent cohorts400 samples
- Participants
- 101 patients
- Exposure
- IFN-α and IFN-β plasma levels vs muscle disease activity (Childhood-Myositis Assessment Scale (CMAS)), by MSA subgroup
- Outcome
- Association between IFN-I plasma levels and muscle disease activity (CMAS) according to MSA
Methodological detailstwo independent cohorts, longitudinal, mixed-effects models, ROC curve analysis
- Two independent cohorts
- Longitudinal
- Mixed-effects models
- ROC curve analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Association of IFN-I levels with muscle disease activity (CMAS)
- IFN-α levels higher in MDA5-positive patients; IFN-β levels comparable across MSA subgroups
- IFN-β more effective than IFN-α in distinguishing active vs inactive muscle disease, and severe vs non-severe disease
- Over the disease course, IFN-β a reliable biomarker of muscle disease activity regardless of MSA
- IFN-α associated with CMAS only in MDA5-positive patients
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
IFN-α levels correlate with muscle disease activity only in juvenile dermatomyositis patients with anti-MDA5+ autoantibodies. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 17 October 2025. doi:10.
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