Social, Disease, and Diagnostic Factors Associated with Diagnostic Delays in Dermatomyositis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Adult patients with dermatomyositis from an academic tertiary referral centre experienced a range in durations of diagnostic delay, which were dependent on social, disease and diagnostic factors. About one-quarter of patients experienced a diagnostic delay ≥ 12 months, with a median of 3.5 months. Symptoms at initial presentation, zip code, skin biopsy results and treatment with systemic corticosteroids were associated with diagnostic delay duration.