skip to main content

Dermatomyositis — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardConnective tissue diseasesDermatomyositisSCE Rheumatology

A 69-year-old woman has proximal weakness and a photosensitive rash. Examination shows Gottron papules and a heliotrope rash are present. Investigations show CK is 4200 IU/L and myositis antibodies are positive. The team is planning baseline risk assessment and follow-up surveillance. The current consultation focuses on preventing morbidity rather than changing the diagnosis. What is the most important complication to screen for?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A — Malignancy-associated myositis

Malignancy-associated myositis is the best answer because dermatomyositis is associated with malignancy-associated myositis, which may be clinically silent until advanced. Septic arthritis is a plausible distractor, but it does not account for the key discriminator in the stem. Pregnancy morbidity and Interstitial lung disease would be more appropriate in a different clinical pattern or at another point in the pathway, while Scleroderma renal crisis is suboptimal for this presentation. Clinical pearl: screening is most valuable when it detects a complication that is common, serious and clinically silent early in its course.

Reference: BSR SLE guideline; EULAR SLE and systemic sclerosis recommendations; BNF