Dermatomyositis in Association With SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection or COVID‐19 Vaccine

Abstract

ObjectiveNew‐onset and relapsed dermatomyositis (DM) has been reported following SARS‐COV‐2 infection or COVID‐19 vaccination. This study aims to show the characteristics of a DM cohort after COVID‐19 infection and vaccination.MethodsA retrospective review was performed on patients treated between March 1, 2020, and October 31, 2022, for dermatomyositis. Charts were evaluated for the presence of new‐onset DM or relapse of preexisting DM following either SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or COVID‐19 vaccination. Data on symptoms onset, timing of vaccination, type of vaccination, and disease characteristics were collected.ResultsNinety‐eight patients treated for dermatomyositis at our institution in the Division of Rheumatology were included. In total 12/98 patients (12.2%) experienced DM symptoms (either incident or relapse) following either infection or vaccination. Of the 12 who developed incident disease or relapse, 7 (58.3%) patients developed symptoms post infection and 8 (66.7%) developed symptoms post‐vaccination (3 patients had symptoms following both infection and vaccination). The mean onset of symptoms following COVID‐19 infection was 3.2 days (median 0.5) and following COVID‐19 vaccination was 5.75 days (median 3.5). 9/12 (75%) patients had a positive myositis specific antibody and the remaining 3/12 (25%) had myositis‐associated antibodies. There was no predominant vaccine associated with the development of post‐vaccination DM symptoms.ConclusionThis retrospective review revealed a strong temporal relationship between dermatomyositis symptoms and COVID‐19 infection or vaccination in 12.2% of all DM patients evaluated in our clinic during the pandemic. Additional studies are required to understand the possible pathophysiology behind this association.

Clinical and immunological features of COVID‐19 in patients with anti‐MDA5 dermatomyositis during the omicron wave in Chongqing, China

“…Patients with dermatomyositis (DM) share similarities in pathogenesis with COVID‐19, 3,4 the pathogenesis and inflammatory episodes of COVID‐19 correlated with the overt pathogenesis of DM 5–9 . Recent studies have highlighted a strong temporal relationship between DM symptoms and COVID‐19 infection or vaccination 10–13 . Hence, more attention should be paid to this particular population.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9] Recent studies have highlighted a strong temporal relationship between DM symptoms and COVID-19 infection or vaccination. [10][11][12][13] Hence, more attention should be paid to this particular population.…”