NorJDM – The Norwegian JDM cohort

This internationally unique long-term outcome study focuses on multiple aspects of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), including risk factors and outcomes. In two controlled cross-sectional examinations, we conducted comprehensive phenotyping of patients with JDM and age- and sex-matched controls utilizing state-of-the-art methods. This encompasses biomarkers (e.g. cytokines and adipokines), physical fitness, body composition, as well as muscular, lung, and heart imaging and function. Our work has yielded novel insights into the predictive factors, biomarkers, prognosis and organ involvement associated with JDM and have influenced international guidelines. 

To date, four PhD students have successfully defended their theses, and we have published 18 papers in medium to high-impact journals. Furthermore, we have ongoing PhD projects that involve longitudinal evaluation of disease activity, damage, myositis-associated antibodies and cardiac function. Additionally, we are exploring the association between physical fitness and cardiac function. The Nor-JDM project strives to enhance our understanding of JDM to ultimately improve patient outcomes.