Dermatomyositis and malignancy

The records of eighteen patients with dermatomyositis were reviewed, of which nine had an associated malignancy. There was no difference in sex distribution, muscle enzyme values, and response to treatment between patients with uncomplicated dermatomyositis and those with co-existing malignant disease. Cases aged over 40 years with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a short interval from onset of dermatomyositis till the patients were referred to hospital may indicate an association with malignancy.