Scalp Disease in Dermatomyositis: A 10-Year Study

The study conducted at King’s College Hospital, London, examined scalp disease in dermatomyositis (DM) over a 10-year period, involving 96 adult patients. It found that 47 patients had scalp involvement, with significant symptoms such as itching, soreness, and hair loss. The study highlighted that scalp DM is often overlooked but contributes substantially to patient morbidity. Scalp biopsies revealed unique dermatopathological features, including thickening of the basement membrane around follicles and severe elastosis. The findings suggest that the scalp has a specific susceptibility to DM inflammation, similar to other inflammatory dermatoses like psoriasis and lupus. This study is the first to quantify the impact of scalp involvement in DM.