Increasing recognition of dermatomyositis with subcutaneous edema – is this a poorer prognostic marker?

Abstract

Subcutaneous edema as a presenting feature of dermatomyositis has infrequently been described and is thought to signify a more aggressive disease course. We report a case involving a 38-year-old man who presented with significant subcutaneous edema involving his neck and upper body; he later developed clinical features and biopsy results consistent with dermatomyositis. Only sixteen previous cases of dermatomyositis with subcutaneous edema involving adults have been published in the literature and we aim to review disease progression, prognosis, and optimal treatment of the condition.