Cancer Risk in Patients with Dermatomyositis or Polymyositis
Author Information
Author(s): Stockton D, Doherty V R, Brewster D H
Primary Institution: Scottish Cancer Intelligence Unit, Information & Statistics Division
Hypothesis
Patients with dermatomyositis or polymyositis have an elevated risk of developing cancer.
Conclusion
Patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis have significantly increased risks of certain cancers, particularly shortly after diagnosis.
Supporting Evidence
- 50 patients with dermatomyositis developed a first malignancy.
- 40 patients with polymyositis developed a first malignancy.
- Significantly elevated risks were observed for lung, cervix uteri, and ovarian cancer in patients with dermatomyositis.
- Hodgkin’s disease risk was elevated in patients with polymyositis.
- The excess risk of cancer was highest around the time of diagnosis.
Takeaway
People with certain muscle diseases are more likely to get cancer, especially soon after they find out they have the disease.
Methodology
A national, retrospective population-based cohort study using hospital discharge, cancer registration, and death records.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in record linkage and retrospective data collection.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and may not account for all confounding factors.
Participant Demographics
Patients hospitalized with a first diagnosis of dermatomyositis or polymyositis in Scotland from 1982 to 1996.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 5.7–10.1 for DM, 1.5–2.9 for PM
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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