Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia with poor prognosis associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis

Abstract

Amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) is a clinical subtype of dermatomyositis, characterized by the lack of motor weakness and the presence of normal muscle enzyme levels. ADM is sometimes accompanied by interstitial pneumonia that shows a rapid progressive course associated with a poor prognosis. We report a 49-year-old patient who presented with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) associated with ADM. The patient failed to respond to prednisolone and immuno-suppressive therapy and died. Although idiopathic NSIP is known to have a better prognosis, NSIP in ADM could be a fatal disease. Therefore, we should appropriately treat interstitial pneumonia in ADM even if it is NSIP.