Scleromyositis: A Novel Entity Beyond Systemic Sclerosis and Autoimmune Myositis

Cureus. 2023 Aug 28;15(8):e44292. doi: 10.7759/cureus.44292. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Scleromyositis is a new clinical entity, which not only has clinical and histopathological components of systemic sclerosis and inflammatory myopathy but is also characterized by presenting unique characteristics, which may not be in the previously mentioned diseases. Up until now, there are no specific classification criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology or the European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR). This paper presents a case report of a female patient in her 60s who was admitted to our institution due to muscle weakness in her legs and dysphagia. Within her diagnosis approach, clinical characteristics compatible with autoimmune myopathy were found; however, she presented with anti-PM/Scl75 antibody-positive results. In this paper, we emphasized the clinical characteristics and forms of presentation of scleromyositis, additionally discussing the available treatment for this entity.

Keywords: clinical rheumatology; diffuse systemic sclerosis; inflammatory myositis; limited systemic sclerosis; scleromyositis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports