Parks CG, Wilkerson J, Rose KM, et al. - Researchers ascertained if differences in sunburn and personal sun exposures in the year prior to diagnosis were correlated with the development of dermatomyositis (DM) vs polymyositis [PM] or inclusion body myositis [IBM] using data from a national United States registry of myositis patients. They analyzed self-reported sunburn history in the year prior to diagnosis and inferred the potential for intense personal exposures to ultraviolet (UV) radiation based on a systematic review of individually reported jobs and hobbies for elevated exposures to sunlight. The sample consisted of 1,350 adults with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies—638 with DM, 422 with PM, and 290 with IBM who resided in the US at diagnosis. Findings suggested an association of DM with sunburn in the year before diagnosis and with having elevated job- or hobby-related sun exposure. Ambient UV intensity was related to DM in females, though not overall. Thus, high or moderate personal exposure to intense sunlight was correlated with developing DM in contrast with other types of myositis. Furthermore, prospective research on UV exposure as a modifiable risk factor for DM is guaranteed.