Background/Purpose: The effect of pregnancy on Dermatomyositis (DM) disease activity and on maternal and fetal outcomes in patients with DM is unclear. Study objective is to evaluate disease activity and pregnancy outcomes complicated by maternal dermatomyositis.

Methods: A total of 10 patients with 21 pregnancies from a cohort of 438 DM patients of child-bearing potential, diagnosed between 2006 and 2015 from two centers, were eligible for interview with a specific questionnaire regarding pregnancy and fetal outcomes.

Results: Weakness, rash and arthritis were the most common clinical symptoms that improved during pregnancy in affected patients (Figure 1). In 16 out of 18 pregnancies, patients experienced weakness. Weakness improved during 13 pregnancies (81.3%), stayed the same during 2 pregnancies (12.5%), and worsened during one (6.3%). All 10 patients experienced cutaneous rash during all 18 pregnancies carried to live birth. Cutaneous rash improved during 13 pregnancies (72.2%), remain unchanged during 3 (16.7%), and worsened during 2 (11.1%). Five patients experienced arthralgias or arthritis in a total of 11 pregnancies. Symptoms improved during 10 of these pregnancies (91%) and worsened during one (9%).There were no cases of interstitial lung disease, cancer or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome among the 10 patients studied. One patient suffered from pre-eclampsia while diagnosed with DM. 3 total pregnancy losses: two early miscarriages (< 10 weeks gestation) one therapeutic abortion for an ectopic pregnancy. 3 neonates out of 18 live births went to the NICU after delivery – reasons for transfer: meconium aspiration; apnea and pre- term birth.

Conclusion: Pregnancy does not appear to carry a worse prognosis for DM patients and all but one of our patients experienced improvement in clinical symptoms during pregnancy.

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/dermatomyositis-and-pregnancy-assessment-of-disease-activity-and-pregnancy-outcomes-complicated-by-maternal-dermatomyositis/