LAUSR

OBJECTIVE The effect of sex and age on the outcomes of patients with anti-MDA5 positive dermatomyositis (MDA5+ DM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of sex and age on the prognosis of patients with MDA5+ DM. METHODS We included 251 patients (women, 156; men, 95), who were newly diagnosed with MDA5+ DM between 2014 and 2021. The outcome was 6-month all-cause mortality after diagnose of interstitial lung disease. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the mortality. Adjusted restricted cubic spline analysis was performed to explore the nonlinear relationship between age and outcomes. RESULTS The 6-month mortality rates of women and men were 36.5% and 46.3%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression revealed that ≥60 years of age was significantly associated with the risk of death (HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.02-5.78). The trend of the risk of 6-month mortality in men was relatively flat until 54 years and increased rapidly afterwards (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.29). In contrast, the 6-month mortality rate showed a low linear increasing trend with age among females. CONCLUSION Patients with MDA5+ DM, who received contemporary treatment, had unfavorable outcomes. The 6-month mortality risk increased with age, particularly in male patients aged >54 years.