[Prevalence of cancer in the Afro-Caribbean population presenting dermatomyositis and anti-synthetase syndrome: a preliminary study conducted at Pointe-à-Pitre University Hospital, 2000-2012].

BACKGROUND

An association with cancer is described in 17-32% of cases of dermatomyositis (DM) and in 5-16% of cases of anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS). The literature contains very few studies involving Afro-Caribbean patients with DM or ASS. The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of cancer in a series of patients with DM or ASS at the University Hospital of Pointe-à-Pitre between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2012. The secondary objective was to review the clinical and laboratory features as well as the course of DM/ASS in these patients.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The inclusion criteria were as follows: Afro-Caribbean origin; age >15 years; patient living in Guadeloupe; screening for malignancy.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients were included (15 DM, 7 ASS). Only one case of cancer was diagnosed in the entire study population at a mean follow-up of 6 ± 4 years (prevalence: 6.7%, CI95% [1.7-31.9]). Of the 15 patients presenting DM (sex ratio F/M: 4, mean age: 45 ± 14 years), 6 (40%) had associated connective tissue disease.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests a weak association between DM and cancer in Afro-Caribbean patients. These results may be explained by the features of the disease seen in these patients (female gender, young age at onset, associated connective tissue disease) and the low prevalence in the Caribbean region of cancers typically associated with DM.