DERMATOMYOSITIS: A CLINICAL OF TWENTY-THREE CASES IN HONG KONG

Abstract

SUMMARY.— Twenty-three cases of dermatomyositis are reported of which 12 (52%) were associated with internal malignancy. In the patients over 40 years of age, malignant diseases were encountered in 69%, while only one of 7 cases under 40 had associated malignancy. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma accounted for 75% of the malignant disease. A distinctive skin eruption, consisting of hyperkeratotic, follicular, erythematous papules, is described. On the face, trunk and limbs, the papules tended to become confluent. Along the tendons and over the bony prominences on the backs of the hands and feet, the eruption was usually arranged in a linear fashion. There was alopecia of the scalp. On the palms and soles were hyperkeratotic papules or plaques. The occurrence of this form of eruption in dermatomyositis may be influenced by racial factors.