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Patients with dermatomyositis positive for anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies, also known as antisynthetase syndrome (ASS), frequently present with mechanic's hand and interstitial lung disease (ILD). We first screened the antibody profiles of 59 patients with dermatomyositis, and then examined the cutaneous, muscular and pulmonary manifestations characteristic for patients with ASS. The anti-ARS antibodies Jo-1, PL-7, PL-12, EJ and KS, along with antibodies to TIF1-γ, MDA5 and Mi-2, were examined. Among the 59 patients, 20, 21, 15 and three patients were classified into the ASS, non-ASS, myositis-specific antibody-negative and unknown groups, respectively. Five of 16 patients (31%) with ASS had six relatives with a history of collagen diseases, within the second degree of relationship, including two cases of dermatomyositis (vs the non-ASS group, P = 0.018). Patients with ASS more frequently presented with fever and arthralgia, and had elevated levels of C-reactive protein. Nine of the 11 finger lesions (82%) clinically diagnosed as mechanic's hands showed a psoriasiform tissue reaction. ILD was observed in 19 of 20 patients (95%) with ASS, and eight of 21 patients (38%) in the non-ASS group, in which six patients possessed anti-MDA5 antibody. Patients with ASS showed higher serum levels of muscle enzymes, and four of 12 patients (33%) had fasciitis-dominant myopathy, while only one of 11 patients (9%) in the non-ASS group had fasciitis-dominant myopathy. Patients with ASS often present with a psoriasiform tissue reaction in the hand lesions and fasciitis-dominant myopathy, and the relatives of those with ASS are at high risk for collagen diseases., (© 2019 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis with as yet unclear pathophysiology. This retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted in 19 facilities in western Japan and aimed to identify patients' characteristics and factors that affect the results of treatment with biologic agents. Of 2116 patients with psoriasis, 285 (13.5%) had PsA. Skin manifestations preceded joint manifestations in 69.8%, the onset was simultaneous in 17.2%, whereas PsA preceded skin manifestations in 2.5%. Peripheral arthritis was most common, occurring in 73.7%, compared with axial disease in 21.8%, enthesitis in 23.5% and dactylitis in 35.4%. Patients with severe skin manifestations were significantly younger at onset (P = 0.02) and more frequently had axial disease (P < 0.01). Biologic agents were used in 206 patients (72.3%), anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibodies being prescribed first to 157 of them. Anti-TNF-α antibodies were continued by 105 participants and discontinued by 47, the remaining five patients being lost to follow up. Patients who discontinued anti-TNF-α antibodies were significantly older than those who continued (55 vs 51 years, P = 0.04) and significantly older at onset of joint manifestations (50 vs 44 years, P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that patients over 50 years significantly more frequently terminated anti-TNF-α antibodies (P < 0.01). In conclusion, patients with PsA and severe skin manifestations have earlier onset and axial disease, which seriously impacts on quality of life. Anti-TNF-α antibodies were generally effective enough to continue but less so in patients aged over 50 years. Further detailed research is needed., (© 2019 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

We report herein a 4-year-old girl with Dowling-Meara type epidermolysis bullosa (EB) who presented with peculiar pigmented nevi. Blister formation had repeatedly occurred on the erythematous plaques in a circinate fashion since birth, and marked hyperkeratosis was observed on the palms and soles associated with nail deformity. Her mother and maternal grandmother also had similar symptoms. In addition to the blistering lesions, the patient had three large, asymmetrical, pigmented plaques with color variegation. Light and electron microscopic findings of the blistering lesions showed a subepidermal blister with intracytoplasmic granules in keratinocytes as well as degeneration of basal cells and aggregation of tonofilaments. The pigmented lesions revealed histopathological features of compound nevus without malignant changes. Gene analysis revealed an E478K (Glu to Lys) mutation in exon 5 of the keratin 5 (K5) gene. These findings, together with clinical features, were consistent with those of Dowling-Meara type EB associated with so-called EB nevus.