Severity Factors of Dermatomyositis in the Caribbean Population - DM-ANTILLES

Severity Factors of Dermatomyositis in the Caribbean Population - DM-ANTILLES

Dermatomyositis is a rare chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects the skin and striated muscles. Its prognosis is linked to visceral involvement (lungs, heart, and oropharyngeal region) and to the possible presence of associated cancer. The implementation of the research will allow identification of incident cases of dermatomyositis in Guadeloupe and the characterization of the disease in the overseas population, in the absence of data in the literature.

In the French West Indies, this condition is associated with high short- and medium-term morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic delays and patient care pathways may help explain this. However, a particularly severe phenotype of the disease in Antillean patients may also play a role, as observed in other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases we have described in overseas populations (e.g., systemic sclerosis, sarcoidosis).

Identifying factors associated with the severity of dermatomyositis at the time of diagnosis would allow for the early implementation of a tailored management strategy to improve the disease prognosis in the target population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient with a diagnosis of dermatomyositis according to the 2003 ENMC criteria
• Patient with parents or grandparents originating from the Caribbean arc
• Patient aged 16 years or older
• Patient residing in Guadeloupe
• Patient (or legal representative) who has received information about the study and has signed the informed consent form
• Patient affiliated with a social security scheme

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient who started treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants within the month prior to the diagnosis of dermatomyositis
• Patient under legal protection (guardianship or trusteeship) or deprived of liberty