Antihelix/helix violaceous macules in Japanese patients with anti‐melanoma differentiation‐associated protein 5 (MDA5) antibody‐associated dermatomyositis

The diagnosis of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) essentially depends on cutaneous manifestations. The early diagnosis of CADM associated with the anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein-5 (MDA5) antibody is especially important because it includes a subset of patients highly at risk for rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) with potentially fatal outcomes. Moreover, the recognition of distinctive rashes for anti-MDA5 antibody-positive DM can greatly aid in distinguishing from other DM subsets since serological anti-MDA5 antibody testing is not yet widely accessible. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.