A rare case of NXP-2 positive dermatomyositis

Abstract

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with variable cutaneous manifestations. Several autoantibodies each with distinct clinical phenotypes are associated with the disease. Here we present the case of a 36-year-old Laotian woman with hypothyroidism who presented with severe proximal and distal muscle weakness, dysphagia, diffuse rash, and anasarca that was diagnosed with NXP-2 (nuclear matrix protein 2) antibody positive dermatomyositis. The patient’s hospitalization was complicated by disease resistant to conventional therapy.