Risk factors for mortality in patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis: A meta-analysis and systematic review

To determine the prognostic factors of dermatomyositis with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody, a rare disease and often complicated by life-threatening, rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease. Herein, we searched the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases and extracted studies published before August 23, 2022. Pooled analysis of hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios was used to identify prognostic factors for mortality among patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis (MDA5+ DM). Twenty-nine cohorts with 2,645 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Factors related to poor prognosis included old age (HR 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41–1.69, p < 0.01), male sex (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.34–3.18, p < 0.01), rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) (HR 9.34, 95% CI 6.39–13.6, p < 0.01), high levels of ferritin (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.08, p < 0.01), C-reactive protein (CRP) (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06–1.19, p < 0.01), creatine kinase (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.07, p < 0.01), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.12–1.45, p < 0.01), whereas oxygen index (HR 0.990, 95% CI 0.988–0.992, p < 0.01), partial pressure of oxygen (HR 0.933, 95% CI 0.906–0.961, p < 0.01), forced vital capacity (HR 0.962, 95% CI 0.928–0.998, p = 0.038), and lymphocyte count (HR 0.421, 95% CI 0.282–0.629, p < 0.01) were associated with better outcomes. Old age, male sex, hypoxemia, low forced vital capacity, lymphocytopenia, and high levels of ferritin, CRP, creatine kinase, and LDH are risk factors for mortality in patients with MDA5+ DM. However, a cautious interpretation of these results and further quality investigation are warranted.