Chronic forms of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) represent a therapeutic challenge. Norwegian clinicians studied a cohort of 59 patients with JDM which they compared to a control group of healthy subjects:
- absorption studies (DEXA-scan) showed in the JDM group a decrease in muscle mass in the lower limbs, even at a constant body mass index;
- this was accompanied by loss of muscle strength and was even more marked in patients with active myositis;
- fat distribution abnormalities and cardio-metabolic disorders have also been noted.
All of these factors contributed to a poorer quality of life for these patients.
